Resources for K-12 educators

Here's a link to resources for K-12 educators. A lot of really great stuff here.

http://www.colorincolorado.org/

Academic Word List Exercises

Here is a link to online practice exercises for the Academic Word List. Both the list and the practice exercises are a very useful resource for those of you who work with students who are in or preparing for academia.

http://web.uvic.ca/~gluton/awl/#ex

Voice of America - Resources for Learning & Teaching English

Here's the link to Voice of America.

http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/about_special_english.cfm

There is a whole section of the site devoted to English language learning and it has daily news broadcasts in slower, simplified English, which it calls 'Special English'.

Here is what the site has to say about its Special English programming.

Special English has a core vocabulary of 1500 words. Most are simple words that describe objects, actions or emotions. Some words are more difficult. They are used for reporting world events and describing discoveries in medicine and science.
Special English writers use short, simple sentences that contain only one idea. They use active voice. They do not use idioms.
Special English broadcasters read at a slower pace, about two-thirds the speed of standard English. This helps people learning English hear each word clearly. It also helps people who are fluent English speakers understand complex subjects.

Special English Radio Broadcasts
Special English broadcasts to different parts of the world several times a day, seven days a week. Each half-hour broadcast begins with:•The latest news from around the world•A different short feature every day about development, agriculture, health, education, economics, news events and American idioms. •15-minute in-depth features about life in the United States, news about science and space, American history, popular culture, influential Americans and short stories.Schedule

If you work with refugees....

Here is a link to a UN website that has great educational resources for those working with refugees or those who want to work with their students to raise awareness about refugees

http://www.unrefugees.org/educationalresources.cfm

The blurb says, "Whether it is a brochure that helps young readers to better understand the issues facing refugee children, a video that tackles the issues of exile or lesson plans that help to raise awareness with secondary school students about the plight of young refugees in Africa, there are many tools to choose from."

Organization for TESOL Professionals

Here's the link to the British professional organization, IATEFL, the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language. http://www.iatefl.org/

Many of their resources are accessible to members only, but it's well worth joining.

One resource that is available to non-members is a selection of newsletters on a very wide variety of useful topics http://www.iatefl.org/content/newsletter/samples.php

Resources for K-12 teachers

For those of you who work with K-12 English language learners, here's a link to TESOL's resource center for teachers and administrators.

http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/cat_tapestry.asp?CID=1585&DID=8732

This is what the introductory blurb says, "The Tapestry is an extensive resource center that has been developed for teachers and administrators in grades preK - 12 who work with children who are English language learners. It presents the findings of research and teaching resources that are directly applicable in the classroom. Research included is on second language acquisition and teaching strategies.
The Tapestry Library presents websites on Curriculum, Program and Professional Development, Bilingualism and Heritage Languages, Immigrants and Regugees, Family and Community Involvement, Legislation and Policy, Government Resources, and Funding. "

Webquests

Here's a link to a variety of webquests, language development activities designed so that students seek out topically related material on the internet. They are aimed at a variety of levels and deal with a variety of topics - from Nelson Mandela, to soccer, to computer games.

http://www.theconsultants-e.com/webquests/

Good fun and great inspiration for designing your own!