Using the Language Companion as a Classroom Tool Catherine Hodgins Ottawa Carleton School Board PBLA Lead/LINC and ESL Instructor

Language Companions Who uses them in their classroom now? What level/levels do you teach? What do you like best about the binders?

Language Companions 3 levels – Literacy, Stage 1 and Stage 2 Part of LINC and ESL programs Free for learners Welcoming (and a welcome) gift Support PBLA process to collect artefacts that show learner progress towards their goals to document competence and achievement in language related to CLB goals

Language Companions Orientation to class/school Looking at and understanding CLB levels Storing class papers and assessments Reading assignments Build vocabulary and idiomatic spoken English Getting to know your new community and country

Orientation to class/school Opening binder package, name card, move dividers Introduction to PBLA process Education information Tips for learning English Listening/reading activities – Table of Contents Scavenger hunts Binder introductions for new learners

Language Companion Name:________________________ Date:_________________________ Go to page ii. Read and copy the words. The Language Companion is yours. The Language Companion belongs to _____________. Put your ____________ and phone number of your school on it. Bring it to each _____________. The Language Companion has helpful information. It can help you while you learn __________________. It can help you learn about _________________. Your___________ will help you use the Language Companion. The Language Companion is a place to keep your work. Put your ___________ in the Language Companion. You and your teacher will _______ at it to see how you are doing. My Canada What page is Canada? ________ What page is Holidays? ________ What page is Health Care in Canada? _______ Helpful English What page is Days and Months? ________ What page is Weather? ________ What page is Immediate Family?________

New Language Companion Scavenger Hunt – Stage 1 Welcome to the New Language Companion. Read the questions and find the answers by searching through your new Language Companion. You can work with a partner if you wish. Look in My Canada section: 1. Write the page numbers for the following topics: Canada’s People ______ Money and Finances ______ Renting a Home ______ Services that Help ______ 2. Look for information about Holidays. Check page _____ When is Thanksgiving? ___________________ 3. Look for information about Education for Children. Check page ____ Secondary School (High School) in Canada is from grade __ or __ to grade ___. Look in Where I Live section: 4. Write the page numbers for the following topics: Government ______ Healthcare ______ Transportation ______ 5. Look for information about My Province or Territory. Check page ___ Copy the website to get information about Ontario _________________ Look at Helpful English section: 6. Write the page numbers for the following topics: Getting a Job ______ to _____ Learning ______ to _____ Past Verb Tenses ______ Tips for Learning English ______ 7. Look for information about Helpful Websites for Learning English. Check page _____ Copy one website address you would like to try ______________________

Looking at and understanding CLB levels Canadian Language Benchmarks section Literacy Binder – 3 pages on ESL Literacy: “Some things you can do in class” – Reading, Writing and Numbers Record benchmarks on a contract or needs assessment for learner’s reference Can Do statements

Storing class papers and assessments Filing and retrieving class papers Keeping things in order Listening to instructions and finding information and/or materials in different sections

Reading assignments Comprehension questions Note-taking Read and report to others Use websites to explore further…

CLB 2 Reading Health Care in Canada Name: ________________ Date: __________________ Answer these questions about Health Care in Canada: (Language Companion CLB 1 – 4 My Canada p. 30) True or False – circle the correct answer: 1. Canada has public health insurance. True False 2. Canadians pay directly at the doctor, clinic or hospital. 3. Every province has its own public health insurance system. 4. Public health insurance pays when you stay in the hospital 5. Public health insurance pays for dentists.   6. Public health insurance does not pay for some services. Total: ___/6

Build vocabulary and idiomatic spoken English Helpful English section Literacy – Picture dictionary format Stage 1 and 2 -Functional English – appropriate sentences for a variety of situations explaining about formal and informal language Stage 2 – Employment Academic Success

Getting to know your new community and country My Canada section Wonderful maps Supports thematic units you are working on in the classroom Where I Live section Fill in the blanks on some pages with relevant, local and current information

Use it Everyday Calendar Look up information on a regular basis Last 10 minutes/First 10 minutes – “Binder Time” Self-Reflection

More ideas… PBLA Guide for Teachers and Programs Challenges Please share your ideas…

Thank you! Thank you for your participation Enjoy your weekend! Catherine.hodgins@ocdsb.ca