ESL Resources
Writing in L2
Editing Checklist for Self- and Peer Editing
The website ReadWriteThink has a sample peer editing checklist that can be adapted for a variety of writing levels and focuses. It also contains suggestions for scaffolding peer editing with learners who are new to the process.
How to Use Interesting Photos to Help Students Become Better Writers
Two teachers explain their routine for English language learners to use “What’s Going On in This Picture?” from The New York Times. This routine helps students learn how to create a claim and support that claim with evidence found in a photograph. They also engage in academic conversations that stimulate academic vocabulary development and critical thinking skills.
Improving Adult Literacy: Developing Reading and Writing
This booklet presents an overview of what is known about how literacy develops, the component skills of reading and writing, and the practices that are effective for developing them. It also describes principles of reading and writing instruction that can guide those who design and administer programs or courses to improve adult literacy skills.
Improving Writing Skills: ELLs and the Joy of Writing
This article offers some concrete activity ideas to build writing skills at all levels, as well as suggestions for differentiating writing instruction and links to additional online resources.
Just Write! Guide
The Just Write! Guide is a resource guide for ABE teachers, intended to increase familiarity with evidence-based writing instruction and to facilitate translation of research findings into teaching practices and products that will enhance the quality of instruction delivered to adult learners.
ReadWriteThink
Search the extensive classroom resources section of the ReadWriteThink website to find a wide variety of writing lesson plans and activities. All activities were written and reviewed by educators, and many align to standards-based teaching practices.
Teaching Academic Writing to Adult English Learners
This PowerPoint shares the importance of teaching academic writing in the 21st century; reports on a 2014-2015 survey of adult ESL writing instruction; briefly describes ten approaches that are better aligned with academic writing skill development; and concludes with references for exploration by ABE/ESL writing teachers.
ThoughtCo: Writing Skills
This website contains articles on English writing skills for a variety of purposes, including essays, formal and informal letter writing, resumes, business documents, that include examples and instructions. The articles can be printed for use in the classroom.
Wisc-Online
Wisc-Online is a repository of high-quality educational resources that are free for learners and teachers. It includes over 2,500 learning objects (such as assessments, animations, and templates) for topics ranging from language arts to career clusters, to manufacturing, to math. It can be used in the classroom or independently by learners.
Writing Across Borders
Writing Across Borders is a 3-year documentary project whose purpose is to help faculty, writing assistants, and other professionals work more productively with international students in writing environments.