Dictations

Dictation provides a chance to model writing conventions, such as handwriting, matching sounds-to-letters to spell words, letter and sentence formation, punctuation, and spacing between words.

Vary the length of your dictations. Involve many skills and competencies, like punctuation, pronunciation, note-taking, spelling, and proof-reading. Dictation requires little in the way of materials.

Check out English Club and News in Levels for ideas.

Ways to Use Podcasts in Tutoring (for levels 5+)

Podcasts continue to grow in popularity, and they span just about every topic. Using them is a beneficial way to bring together language learning with cultural lessons, and they can provide a listening-focused activity to learn new vocabulary, topics, or pronunciation.

Run though a podcast with your student. Then go back over it, paying greater attention.

This ProLiteracy article covers several ways in which you can incorporate podcasts in your tutoring sessions:

1.   Listening activities. Because videos do not typically accompany podcasts, students must focus on listening, requiring students to concentrate on this underutilized skill. See if the podcast’s episode notes or website offers a transcript and other materials that may help you.

2.   Fill-in-the-blank activities. If you have the transcript for a podcast, you can delete certain words. Then provide that modified transcript to your student and have them listen for the missing words.

3.   Introducing a new topic. Before covering a new topic, listen to a podcast about it. Check its level-appropriateness or see if there’s a specific, short part of the podcast that’s best to use.

4.   Summarizing. Have students listen to a podcast and then write a summary of it. This is best if you’ve already covered the concept of summarizing with your student.

5.   Homework. Give the student a specific podcast assignment to complete as homework. Be prepared with an activity related to the podcast when they return for your next session.

6.   Listening for tone and fluency. One goal many students strive for is to sound more natural when speaking English. Listening to a podcast gives them more practice listening to people speak English with each other in a natural way. Suggest to your student to listen to certain podcasts more frequently on their own to help them develop an ear for conversational banter in English.

7.   Practicing specific grammar and pronunciation points. There are some language-specific podcasts that address these points in English. They tend to be short lessons and may help answer questions that students have about language use.

8.   Learning about American culture. Students are often curious about American culture, and podcasts are tools to expand this knowledge.

Always check first to be sure that the podcast matches your student's proficiency. You can search for any topics that you have in mind on a podcast app on your phone or other device. Many public radio shows are available on podcasts.

Try out these podcasts that are recommended by ProLiteracy:

"That's What They Say": https://www.michiganradio.org/podcast/thats-what-they-say

This short, weekly podcast from Michigan Radio focuses on the changing ways we use language. It’s ideal for those who may be grammar-obsessed. Topics from earlier this year include collective nouns and the use of “proven” versus “proved.” Episodes are usually around five minutes long.

"Pronuncian": https://pronuncian.com/podcasts

Does your student want more guidance on correct pronunciation? Although the episodes

are older, Pronuncian focuses on topics like yes/no pitch patterns, the difference between “my car” and “Mike are,” and the silent l in “salmon.”

"Everybody ESL": https://everybodyesl.simplecast.com/

This teacher-led, short podcast tackles a variety of language learning lessons, including idioms and pronunciation.

"A Teacher's 10 Favorite ESL Podcasts": https://bridge.edu/tefl/blog/

teachers-favorite-esl-podcasts/

An instructor writing for Bridge Universe shares 10 podcasts that may work well for you. One recommendation is National Public Radio’s “This American Life,” which combines

journalism and storytelling.

Here is a list of 22 podcasts addressing varying proficiency levels, compiled by FluentU. We highly recommend that you not utilize recordings with British or Australian accents:

https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/esl-english-podcasts/

Here is information about how to use podcasts to teach ESL.

Indian Prairie Public Library offers a variety of ESL materials to help people learn to read, speak, and understand English, as well as resources for tutors. This includes books, CDs, DVDs, newspapers, and online databases on topics, such as pronunciation, reading comprehension, grammar, business English, vocabulary, and culture. Tutors and students have access to eight study rooms for one-on-one instruction.

Indian Prairie Library offers two ESL Conversation Groups, both of which are moderated by Literacy DuPage volunteers and geared toward intermediate learners. The online group meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 7 p.m. (register at calendar.ippl.info). The in-person group meets on the 1st and 3rd Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.

If you have questions, please contact Joe Popowitch at 630-884-8032 or joep@ippl.info.

Indian Prairie Public Library, 401 Plainfield Rd., Darien, IL 60561

630-887-8760 www.ippl.info



These workplace skills documents may be helpful:

Sample job application and Job search worksheet

A variety of good-paying, full-time job opportunities are available through RHM Staffing Solutions in Schaumburg.

"Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person."

Mother Teresa