U.S. Constitution Day: September 17

If you are looking for information about the U.S. Constitution in English or Spanish, lesson plans, games, puzzles and interactive information to help study the Constitution, go to: http://constitutionaelc.blogspot.com/ for a list of sites to view.

CESOL: Computers for English and Speakers of Other Languages

http://tech.worlded.org/docs/cesol/index.htm

update 11.5.07: American TESOL Institute launches two Websites http://www.tesolabroad.com/ and http://www.tesol-jobs.com/ .

The Computers and English for Speakers of Other Languages website is for teachers who are interested in integrating technology into primarily the adult ESOL/ ESL/EFL classroom. We are advocating a computer-mediated approach that includes but is not limited to:

* teaching computers to ESOL / ESL / EFL students in a way that integrates technology into the curriculum; *using computer technology as a tool for improving teaching English language learning;
*developing project-based, cooperative use of computers and the Internet;
*utilizing software appropriately in the computer-assisted language learning (CALL) lab.

Note: Although there is some links to topics related to distance learning, there are many other sites that cover this topic in greater detail. Do, however, see the new articles on Podcasting.

This is packed with good information and lesson plans and is geared for adult ESL in particular. Very useful.

Web Based Lesson Plans for Adult ESOL

One of the great advantages of the Web is that sometimes you find things while looking up other things. This is one of those sites. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for, and I almost left it without further research. It is very well done, and can be used to address state competencies and lesson plans for adult ESL learners. It is conveniently divided into skill levels, from literacy on up, and has a wealth of information and structure that can be used and developed.

"Lesson Plans for Adult ESOL were written by classroom teachers in Palm Beach County over the past three years. Although originally designed as curriculum resource books, they have been converted to a web based format to provide easy accessibility to teachers throughout Florida and beyond. The basic premise for writing these lessons is that if teachers are to be held accountable for student outcomes under performance based funding, it is the responsibility of the School District of Palm Beach County to provide teachers with every tool possible to promote student success.
The lesson plans are designed to be used as a starting point or spring board for the delivery of good sound instruction. They are specifically designed so that teachers can add their own ideas and activities to enhance the basic lessons.
Activity sheets have been developed for most lessons so that teachers can use the lessons even if they cannot access the textbooks listed. None of the activity sheets are copyrighted and can be legally photocopied without the need to obtain permission."

Click on the competency.
ESOL Literacy/Foundations - LCP - A
ESOL Low Beginning - LCP - B
ESOL High Beginning - LCP - C
ESOL Low Intermediate - LCP - D
ESOL High Intermediate - LCP - E
ESOL Advanced - LCP - F

PIZZAZ! Writing

http://www.uoregon.edu/~leslieob/pizzaz.html
"Description:
PIZZAZ! is dedicated to providing simple creative writing and oral storytelling activities with copyable (yes, copyable!) handouts for use with students of all ages. Permission is given to use these resources for in-class, non-profit use only.
Prerequisite:
An interest in using English in fun, dynamic ways!
ESOL Student Level:
Beginner through Advanced "

Whether through poetry or fiction, there are lots of ideas for developing student writing skills here.

Adult Ed Writing Lesson Plans

http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/adulted/lessons.html Thirteen Ed Online

Covers Adult Ed lesson plans for GED subjects, ESL and Workforce Development. They are broken down by grade level, which is useful information. Some highlight a particular subject, such as writing:
Getting Started: Pre-Writing Techniques (http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/adulted/lessons/lesson19.html) or
Freewriting: Developing Fluency in Student Writing
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/adulted/lessons.html

and others incorporate the skill within subject areas:
Cancer: A Crisis of the Cells
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/adulted/lessons/lesson51.html

Most of these ideas are adaptable for a variety of student levels.

Writing Lesson Plans

http://home.cogeco.ca/~rayser3/writing.htm

Outta Ray's Head is a good source of writing ideas for classes. Includes exercises and information developed by instructors, for teaching writing. As with a lot of the compendiums, it takes time to review the material, but many of these are excellent springboards.

Using English

http://www.usingenglish.com/

Interesting site that is set up for teachers and students alike. One of the best areas is a forum site (free registration required), which opens up a forum on a variety of topics. Students might like the 'Ask a Teacher' forum. There are also areas on the site for an English Language Blog, ESL Resources (including grammar and idioms), language tests, quizzes and reading comprehension and also PDF lesson plans and worksheets for teachers. Quite a lot of sites to get through, but worth the trip.