Alexa

Making It Real:

Teaching Pre-literate Adult Refugee Students

Tacoma Community House Training Project

Making It Real:
Teaching Pre-literate Adult Refugee Students

Written by Alysan Croydon
Illustrated by Jamie Treat
With contributions from Anita Bell and Jamie Treat

This project would not have been possible without the helpful insights
and support of Marilyn Bentson and thetechnical expertise of Marla German

Developed by Tacoma Community House Training Project

Funded by the Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Section
of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
2005

making it real: teaching pre-literate adult refugee students
Table of Contents

TEACHING SPEAKING AND LISTENING SKILLS..................................................................... 1
Getting Started........................................................................................................................ 3
Controlled Practice Techniques ............................................................................................ 5
Oral drills............................................................................................................................ 6
Visual substitution drills ..................................................................................................... 7
Picture stories ..................................................................................................................... 8
Grids................................................................................................................................... 9
Line-up ........................................................................................................................ 10
True / false .................................................................................................................. 10
Other grid activities.................................................................................................... 11
Information gap ................................................................................................................ 14
Lists ............................................................................................................................ 14
Pictures....................................................................................................................... 15
Picture story or sequences .......................................................................................... 15
Maps ........................................................................................................................... 15
Board games..................................................................................................................... 16
Dialogs and role plays ...................................................................................................... 17
Conversation Activities ........................................................................................................ 18
Bridge Activities................................................................................................................... 21
Sorting and categorizing ................................................................................................... 21
Ordering and sequencing .................................................................................................. 21
Comparing........................................................................................................................ 22
Matching ........................................................................................................................... 22
Tools and Techniques for Conversation / Applied Practice ............................................. 23
Magazine pictures............................................................................................................. 23
Picture cards...