Summer, 2021 MITESOL Adult Education SIG Update
The end of summer is gradually approaching. I hope most have had the opportunity to enjoy more and more time out and about in some beautiful summer weather. Please enjoy these resources, news articles, and advocacy opportunities. Remember—the fall MITESOL Virtual Conference is November 5-6. APPLY for an Adult Ed travel grant!
Please stay active on the Adult Ed message board, and let me know what you are doing with your work et al!
--Collin Blair, Adult Ed. SIG Leader (Adult-ed-sig@mitesol.org)
Resources for Adult Students (and Their Teachers!)
VOA News Learning English
Can’t help but include this one! ESL-centered materials in all skills, videos, grammar lessons, idioms, current events and beyond. Use “The Day In Photos” as a daily icebreaker activity.
https://learningenglish.voanews.com/
Quill.org
Free tools to make your students better writers
https://www.quill.org/
NewsELA
Great reading for English Language Learners. Do together in class or assign remotely.
https://newsela.com/
Citizenship Test Practice
As the printed books + cds are no longer being produced, this website is the place to refer your students for citizenship test prep.
http://uscitizenshipsupport.com/
IXL
Great for adult ESL/GED learners as well! Your program must purchase student seats.
Articles
Articles
Various articles that touch on topics and themes that affect our students and our teaching:
Changes in USCIS processing:
Updates:
https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/updates
Michigan community college students can now more easily transfer to 4-year institutions
Jobs and Skills Training
Pure Michigan jobs and skills training
Peruse this website for many options to aid your students with workforce training and jobs:
https://www.mitalent.org/career-explorer
*Also, refer students to local Michigan Works! offices for asssistance with resumes, interviewing skills, and locating available jobs: https://www.michiganworks.org/
Professional Development
There are regularly a bevy of courses and webinars for members.
https://www.tesol.org/attend-and-learn/online-courses-seminars
Education Updates
Michigan.gov—Adult Ed for Providers of Programs
Resources for Adult Ed programs (ESL & beyond)
https://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-94422_95539_64362_64511-371621--,00.html
Michigan Dept. of Education—English Learner Resources
https://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-81376_88063---,00.html
Advocacy
Global Michigan—Partner organizations for refugees, immigration, and more
https://www.michigan.gov/ogm/0,9597,7-394-93233---,00.html
Refugee Council USA
https://rcusa.org/get-involved/advocate/
Supporting ELLs through Covid-19
How can schools best support English language learners (ELLs) and immigrant students through the COVID-19 pandemic? What lessons have we learned so far?