Resources
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Once Upon a Picture: The Thinking Collection
A collection of images, photo and illustrations, with prompts to inspire learners to write or speak using critical thinking skills about the image.
ESL Conversation Questions
Find conversation questions grouped by topic or by grammar point. The site also contains ideas for icebreakers and additional online resources for teachers.
Print Discuss
This relatively new website contains printable lists of conversation questions arranged by topic or grammar point. Most conversation lists contain simple warm-up questions and a vocabulary word list.
Clear English Corner with Keenyn Rhodes – for learners
This channel is dedicated to helping learners speak American English with clarity and confidence. Video resources are uploaded weekly. This channel is a great resources for learners, and can also be used by teachers as supplemental resources for class, and can help teachers gain a greater understanding of English pronunciation.
Clear English Corner with Keenyn Rhodes
This channel is dedicated to helping learners speak American English with clarity and confidence. Video resources are uploaded weekly. This channel is a great resources for learners, and can also be used by teachers as supplemental resources for class, and can help teachers gain a greater understanding of English pronunciation.
Rachel’s English YouTube Channel – for learners
Americans speak fast and conversation can be hard! This channel is a great resource for learners, where they can unpack pronunciation features with videos on all aspects of spoken English – from dropped sounds and linked words to idioms, phrasal verbs, and conversation study. It can also be used by teachers as supplemental resources for class, and can help teachers gain a greater understanding of English pronunciation.
Rachel’s English YouTube Channel
Americans speak fast and conversation can be hard! On this channel, unpack pronunciation features with videos on all aspects of spoken English – from dropped sounds and linked words to idioms, phrasal verbs, and conversation study. This channel is a great resource for learners! It can also be used by teachers as supplemental resources for class, and can help teachers gain a greater understanding of English pronunciation.
Baruch College: Tools for Clear Speech – for learners
"TfCS offers a variety of practice exercises and online resources for remote access. From individual English sounds to overarching features like intonation and stress, these exercises are an excellent way to preview, practice, and maintain what you learn." The tools are made to support learners taking classes at Baruch College, but anyone can access and learn from their excellent Tools to Go!
Baruch College: Tools for Clear Speech
"TfCS offers a variety of practice exercises and online resources for remote access. From individual English sounds to overarching features like intonation and stress, these exercises are an excellent way to preview, practice, and maintain what you learn." The tools are made to support learners taking classes at Baruch College, but anyone can access and learn from their excellent Tools to Go!
The Pronunciation Doctor YouTube Channel
Marsha Chan demonstrates how teachers can use multiple textbooks to improve language learners' pronunciation through a variety of techniques. Teachers will also find videos of professional development workshops on pronunciation instruction, and examples of adult ESL learners engaging in pronunciation activities in the classroom.
Getting Started with Effective Math Talk in the Classroom
Using mathematical discussions in the classroom is a powerful way to increase our students’ critical thinking and communication skills. This article explores ways to get your students thinking and communicating mathematically from the very first days of school. The article is written for K-12 teachers, but the language and strategies work well with adult learners.
Activities for Tutoring a Beginning ESL Literacy Student
Find activity ideas for Beginning ESL Literacy level learners in phonics, pattern based reading, meaning-based reading, checking comprehension, and vocabulary in this handout.
Adult ESL Beginning Level Instruction Videos
Find Low-Literacy Instruction and Classroom Activities videos that feature Minnesota teachers working with ESL Beginning Level learners on a wide variety of activities and skills, including phonics, TPR, speaking skills, and numeracy.
The Teachers’ Room: Correcting Errors
This video shares different things teachers should to take into consideration when correcting errors, and gives suggestions for ways to do learner-friendly error correction in the classroom.
Ten ESL Activities to Teach Perfect Pronunciation and Get Mouths Moving
This article from the FluentU English Educator Blog provides ten activities for teachers to use when students have difficulty differentiating between two sounds (known as minimal pairs).
- Assessment
- Beginning ESL
- Beginning ESL Literacy
- Emergent Readers
- Listening
- Reading
- Speaking
- Teaching Strategies
- Writing
Making It Real: Teaching Pre-Literate Adult Refugee Students
This book is a great place reference for both new and experienced teachers. It covers a variety of effective practices for teaching low-literate adult refugees, and describes techniques and activities that support these practices.
Literacy Minnesota Pre-Beginning ESL Story Bank and Curriculum
This curriculum builds literacy skills and incorporates level-appropriate Transitions skills identified by the ATLAS program's Academic, Career & Employability Skills (ACES) initiative, as outlined in the Transitions Integration Framework (TIF), into every life skill unit.
Give It a Go: Teaching Pronunciation to Adults
This interactive PDF resource provides "a brief and accessible overview of how pronunciation works in English, some explanations of the particular difficulties faced by learners from different backgrounds, and activities that teachers can use to help adult language learners to improve their pronunciation."
Error Correction
This article provides strategies for how and when to correct learners' mistakes and suggestions for how to make error correction a part of your classroom routine.
6 ESL Teaching Techniques to Cut TTT and Get Your Students Talking
Learn easy and effective strategies to cut teacher talk time and provide more opportunities for your learners to practice their English in this article by FluentU.
New Resources
Video #6: Analyzing Our Lessons with the Culture Tree
The Culture Tree helps us name tangible parts of culture, so that when we look at our lesson plans, we can figure out how much of the content is based on our own culture and ways of seeing/thinking of things. Therefore, once we name what part of culture the lesson connects with, we can then think about what kinds of discussion questions or content will invite learners to share about their own experiences. This makes class more relevant and helps learners bridge information they already know to new skills and knowledge.
Videos Series: Moving Equity Forward in Adult Education
Moving Equity Forward in Adult Education is a series of short videos around DEI/antiracism topics in adult education. Each video and accompanying discussion questions will package an important concept that works toward justice in a format that is easily accessible for educators. Videos cover topics such as understanding culture, discovering learners’ funds of knowledge, being a warm demander, and using diverse teaching materials.
ACES Foundations Online Course
This free online course on the Canvas platform provides an introduction to ACES (Academic, Career and Employability Skills) and the TIF (Transitions Integration Framework). Participants can complete the entire course or access specific topics for a refresher, and can earn 6 CEUs for successful completion of all lesson reviews in the course.
Presenter Information
Get information about stipends, reimbursements, the MN Adult Ed policy on use of images in presentations, and other instructions for presenters.
MN Adult Ed YouTube Channel
The MN Adult Education YouTube Channel is a free online PD resource that you can use to explore teaching techniques and classroom ideas in action! Find out more in this MN ABE Connect newsletter article.
ATLAS Announcements & Future PD
Check out the latest list of ATLAS professional development announcements and opportunities! This is the document that is shared at all ATLAS events.
Virtual Meeting Resources
Find resources for conducting online meetings/events/presentations! You are welcome to use and adapt these materials to fit your own needs and context.
Upcoming ABE Events
January 22, 2025
6:30 pm–8:30 pm
Online
Volunteer Core Training Module 3: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Learners
Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 1/22/25 Participants learn how to apply teaching practices that support language and skill development for all learners. These practices include ensuring that instruction is learner centered, using an appropriate level of teacher talk and delivering error correction. Learn More
Online
January 23, 2025
8:00 am–4:00 pm
Embassy Suites by Hilton – Minneapolis Airport
7901 34th Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55425 United States
7901 34th Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55425 United States
Language & Literacy Institute 2025 – Bloomington, MN
Embassy Suites by Hilton – Minneapolis Airport
7901 34th Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55425 United States
7901 34th Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55425 United States
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: FRI. 1/17/25 by 5:00 pm (CST); Late fee applies after that time! NOTE: Anyone attending the conference, including presenters, MUST register! HOTEL GUEST ROOMS: ATLAS is holding a block of discounted rooms at the event venue, Embassy Suites by Hilton-Minneapolis Airport; however, space… Learn More
Embassy Suites by Hilton – Minneapolis Airport
7901 34th Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55425 United States
7901 34th Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55425 United States
January 24, 2025
8:00 am–5:00 pm
Embassy Suites by Hilton – Minneapolis Airport
7901 34th Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55425 United States
7901 34th Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55425 United States
Language & Literacy Institute 2025 – Bloomington, MN
Embassy Suites by Hilton – Minneapolis Airport
7901 34th Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55425 United States
7901 34th Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55425 United States
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: FRI. 1/17/25 by 5:00 pm (CST); Late fee applies after that time! NOTE: Anyone attending the conference, including presenters, MUST register! HOTEL GUEST ROOMS: ATLAS is holding a block of discounted rooms at the event venue, Embassy Suites by Hilton-Minneapolis Airport; however, space… Learn More
Embassy Suites by Hilton – Minneapolis Airport
7901 34th Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55425 United States
7901 34th Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55425 United States