[nobe-l] tutoring ESL clients

[Ashley Bramlett]

Greg,

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm not sure what materials they have versus 
ones we are supposed to make.
The coordinator said its about communication although what is oral versus 
written I do not know.

Yeah, probably more conversations.
I am thinking a lot about potential adaptations and questions they  might 
have since I have been turned down from many volunteer opportunities; much 
was on the basis of paperwork and filing. I could not work at the front 
desks of some nonprofits due to the requirement for data entry and checking 
IDS.

But I think this job might actually work since its one on one and I do not 
have to worry  about greeting people and checking them in with IDS.

Any more ideas, let me know.
Ashley

-----Original Message----- 
From: Greg Aikens via nobe-l
Sent: Monday, July 27, 2015 6:08 PM
To: National Organization of Blind Educators Mailing List
Cc: Greg Aikens
Subject: Re: [nobe-l] tutoring ESL clients

Hi Ashley,
I think you might be overthinking this one a little bit. I think that
because the focus is on oral communication, you will need far fewer
adaptations than if you were working on written communication, etc. I would
imagine that most of what you will be doing is having conversations on
various topics and your role will be to point out areas that need
improvement, correct grammar and pronunciation, etc. Certainly if there are
curriculum materials they give out to other tutors, I would try to obtain
these in an electronic format so you can use them. I’m not sure how many
handouts/flash cards etc. you would be expected to make, if any.

This sounds like a great opportunity.

Best of luck.

-Greg

> On Jul 27, 2015, at 2:28 AM, Ashley Bramlett via nobe-l
> <nobe-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> Well, I have a potential opportunity to tutor clients in communication
> skills who know some english but have accents.
>
> I know this is meant for teachers here but figured you all either may
> tutor as a job or supplement to teaching and have some experience in this
> realm.
> I really want to help people improve their english skills, but am not sure
> I can do it with the language barrier. I know I rely on oral communication
> a lot in the absence of seeing all body gestures. I’m concerned the lack
> of understanding them will hinder our progress unless we can find ways to
> communicate such as more hand over hand and them pointing to labeled
> pictures I might make up.
>
> Here is the little I know. The clients know English. Their needs are in
> improving vocabulary in sentences, improving pronounciation skills, and
> other communication tasks.
> I’d tutor for at least an hour if I go forward. I’m going to learn more
> when I do an orientation with the volunteer coordinator.
> I told the coordinator about my low vision and she has not really said
> anything about it but treated me like a regular volunteer. She just told
> me their needs and requested a time to do my orientation.
> I’m sure I can ask about any curriculum matterials they have in that
> meeting and hopefully figure out my accomodations. I’m fairly sure one
> accomodation will be bringing my laptop equipped with jaws
> to do some activities. I might be able to use their cds for listening
> exercises if they have the teaching cds I need. I know that when learning
> spanish in high school, we had many listening exercises on cd so I’m sure
> their some for teaching english.
>
> So, have any of you taught ESL with emphasis on oral communication?
> If so, what adaptations did you make?
>
> Some questions on resources.
> Are there accessible ESL books out there including those on grammar? If
> so, where?
> Are there particular cds or cd series you can recommend to teach
> vocabulary via conversation or songs?
> Are there websites with premade activities to do with them?
> Are there websites I can use to create teaching materials such as
> flashcards, matching lists, and worksheets?
>
> I thought I might use word on the pc to create these but I think a website
> with premade templates would be better.
> I have low vision but do use jaws as well as braille and ocasionally large
> print.
> So please try to recommend accessible websites or even youtube videos
> would work.
>
> I’m most concerned about understanding them enough to see what their needs
> are and help them; I know thick accents can be hard for me. I also am
> concerned about accessing materials as I’m fairly sure they have books and
> worksheets made up already; they run esl classes at this nonprofit so I am
> sure they have some resources.
> If I need an accessible book, do you think contacting
> the publisher for an accessible copy will get it to me?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Ashley
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