Literacy Network's Bookmarks

Check out these bookmarks, started by Literacy Network in Wisconsin. It shares numerous websites on everything from phonics to job seeking to health literacy. (Look at the Tags on the right side of the page for various topics.)

Online Resources

http://distancewebsites.wikispaces.com/ - This awesome website provides links to numerous topics pertaining to adult literacy.  It was put together by the Distance Learning Project.


http://www.clese.org/brightideas_eslcurric.htm - This site provides a 16 unit ESL Civics Curriculum designed for very beginning ESL learners.

http://www.esldiscussions.com/  - ESL Discussions, 650 conversations from which to choose and 13,000 conversation questions. Use in lessons, to practice speaking, etc.

ESL/ESOL Adult Learning Videos  - A variety of professional development videos can be found at this site.

Have Fun with Vocabulary

And give free rice to help end world hunger. If you haven't already seen this sight, it is fun to visit - and you can help a good cause. It can be a nice break during a tutoring session; you can choose from a variety of topics (including math topics, English vocabulary and grammar), the screen then shows a word or sentence and several answers/options. When the correct response is chosen, the game moves on to a more difficult question and if an incorrect response is given, an easier question comes next. There is also an option to have the question/word read to the player.

Check it out for a fresh approach to teaching vocabulary, grammar, geography, and more.http://www.freerice.com/index.php

More from the National Institute for Literacy

Have you checked out the Basic Skills section of the LINCS Resource Collections? http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/resourcecollections/RC_skills.html
This collection "focuses on reading, writing, mathematics and numeracy resources that can improve instruction in basic skills." Materials are listed in the topics of reading, writing and mathematics and you can search through and find both research and classroom/tutoring materials. One link (Marshall Adult Education: http://www.marshalladulteducation.org/reading-skills-for-todays-adult) takes you to a website with leveled readings for practice with fluency.
Please comment below on what you found most valuable in the Basic Skills section of the LINCS Resource Collection.

British Website for Adult Learners and Tutors

This website http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/ has sections for adult readers on words and numbers and a section for tutors. You can find fact sheets, worksheets, and games to improve skills, there are adult learner stories to watch and listen to, quizzes to test progress, and a Tutor Centre (it is a British site!) with lesson plans and tracking sheets. There is a link to a site called "raw" in the bottom right corner - a website that helps adults develop skills for everyday life. In the Tutor Centre you will also find a link to this site, http://www.skillsworkshop.org/workshee.htm, which is full of free worksheets and handouts for adult basic skills students. The Tutor Centre also has a link to ESOL resources - your options are endless!

What do you like about this site? What did you use with your learner that you found helpful? Please share in the comments section of this post.

Develop Vocabulary with a Web

Check out this site, http://www.visualthesaurus.com/?word=eviscerate, to see a visual thesaurus. You can get a few free trials then there is a fee of $2.95/month. I know that "Free" is much better, but at least you can check it out!