4. Adult Literacy Council Coastal Bend Community Foundation
Accelerating Your ESL Students’ Learning Through Brain Compatible Strategies
Facilitator:
Donna Hernandez
Mathis Adult Literacy Program
Sponsored by:
San Patricio County
Adult Literacy Council
Coastal Bend Community Foundation

5. Language Acquisition Myths
Children “catch” a language easily
Speaking slowly and loudly to students increases their understanding
The more time students spend in a second language context, the quicker they learn the language.
Students who are fluent in “playground” English are fluent in the classroom.

6. Workshop Goals Deepen our understanding of how
the brain creates meaning and memory
to craft instruction to insure the creation of meaning and memory
to develop valid & useful brain compatible strategies for English language learners

7. WHY?
Neural Network Engineers
Meaning
Patterns
Connections

9. SPARSE WEAK DENSE STRONG
CONNECTIONS
DENSE
STRONG
CONNECTIONS
(M. Diamond; W. Greenough)

10. meaning out of its perceptions!
Your mind seeks to make
meaning out of its perceptions!

11. The point is . . .
Brain, KIDS Discovery

13. Create the Experience

14. Your mind seeks to find
patterns!

15. Black
Blue
Green
Red
Orange
Blue

16. what it pays attention to!
Your mind chooses
what it pays attention to!

17. No way!
Maybe, let’s see.
Bring it on!

18. Motivation Attention Connections Create the Experience
Hook to previous learning
Engagement

19. Language Acquisition or Language Learning?
Krashen’s 5 Hypotheses
Acquisition vs. Learning
Monitor (errors)
Natural Order
Input +1
Affective Filter

20. What if students don’t “learn”?
Where do you look?
Student ability?
Language Skills
Cognitive Ability
Student academic experience?
State Academic standards?
Student motivation?
Assessment instrument?
Instructional strategies?

21. How do we work this to our advantage?

22. Brain Compatible Modifications
Effective Teaching
Brain Compatible Modifications

23. Instructional Strategies
Use graphic organizers

24. Instructional Strategies
Teach academic content concretely
Realia
Models
Role Playing
Simulation

25. Instructional Strategies
Use cooperative learning groups
Check for understanding frequently
Pre-teach academic vocabulary
Intentionally teach learning/study strategies

26. Instructional Strategies Why should we use Group Work?
Increases language practice opportunities
Improves the quality of student talk
Helps individualize instruction
Promotes a positive social climate
Motivates learners

27. Helpful Websites
– Children’s resources w/links to websites for ESL kids’ teachers as well as songs, games, flashcards, etc.
& - both contain lists of sites for teacher resources from worksheets to songs to clipart pictures.
- Tips, useful techniques and tools for ESL teachers
Google: websites for ESL

28. Additional Resources
- San Patricio Co. Adult Literacy Council
Mathis GED Classes – Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m. at Primera Iglesia Bautista
Adult Computer Literacy Classes – Wednesdays: 12:15 to 1:45, Mathis HS; 6:45 to 8:15, Primera Iglesia Bautista
for up-to-date information or contact Daniel G. Garcia,