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"One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way."
"One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way."
This quote is from Frank Smith, a psycholinguist and educator who worked at the University of Toronto. He studied how children learn to read.
What do you think of his idea? What is speaking multiple languages like for you?
Writing Practice:
Writing Practice:
To get more writing practice, write a response to Frank Smith's idea. Tell about your own experience learning and speaking multiple languages. What metaphor would you use to describe the experience? Try to build your response into a full paragraph (or more), using examples and details to give the reader a clear picture of your idea! Share your writing with your teacher.
How to learn with these resources:
This Learning Kit focuses on literature. There will be short stories, poems, and even a book for you to read! Here are some tips for making your studying most effective.
Before you begin, it's important to activate your thinking! Read the title and the introduction. What do you think this piece will be about? Have you read anything like this before? Get a piece of paper and a dictionary (your phone is fine to use!). Be prepared to take notes and write down words you do not understand.
The first time you listen, try to determine the main idea of the story, poem or chapter. Can you understand what is happening even if you don’t know every word? Then, listen and read again and write down any new words. Check your dictionary and then read the sentence again. Do you understand the sentence better now? Read and listen to the story as many times as you need to. Repeating helps you learn and remember.
At the end of each study session, use the recall strategy! Recall (sometimes called "retrieval practice") is a powerful learning strategy because your brain is very active. It's difficult! Here are the steps. To learn more about brain-based learning strategies, check out the Learning Scientists website!
When you are finished, write down what you thought the story, poem or chapter of the book was about in your own words. Choose 3-5 vocabulary words you want to practice. You can write your new words on flashcards, use them in sentences, and practice them with your friends and family.
Remember to report your independent work to your teacher!
Thanks to Sarah Lynn for sharing her "Total Recall" strategy with us!
Stories
Stories
A Pair of Silk Stockings
by Kate Chopin
Introduction: Kate Chopin was an American writer. She was born in 1850 and died in 1904. She was considered to be an early feminist. She wrote short stories and novels.
Names/Nombres
by Julia Alvarez
Introduction: Julia Alvarez is a Dominican-American writer. She was born in 1950. Julia has written books, poems, essays and books for young adults. She lives and teaches in Vermont. Julia writes a lot about immigrating to the United States from the Dominican Republic.
The Gift of the Magi
by O. Henry
Introduction: O. Henry was an American short story writer. His real name was William Sydney Porter. He was born in 1862 and died in 1910. This is a story about gift giving at Christmas.
Did you enjoy these stories? If you want to listen to more stories, check out the Many Things website.
Did you enjoy these stories? If you want to listen to more stories, check out the Many Things website.
Vocabulary check!
Vocabulary check!
You've read many different literary pieces so far! Take some time to review the new vocabulary you are learning. Send sentences with some of your new words to your teacher here.
Poetry
Poetry
When Love Arrives by Phil Kaye. Spoken by Sarah Kay and Phil Kaye
Introduction: Phil Kaye is a Japanese-American artist. He writes poetry. He was born in 1988. He lives in NYC.
Caged Bird by Maya Angelou
Introduction: Maya Angelou was an American poet. She was born in 1928 and died in 2014. She wrote many autobiographies, essays and poems. She was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.
A Novel
A Novel
Bridge to Terabithia
by Katherine Paterson
Introduction: Katherine Paterson is an American writer who was born in China in 1932. She has written many books for young adults and won many awards. She lives in Vermont. This is a story about friendship and loss.
Vocabulary check!
Vocabulary check!
You've read many different literary pieces now! Take some time to review the new vocabulary you are learning. Send sentences with some of your new words to your teacher here.
Do you want to read and listen to another book?
Do you want to read and listen to another book?
What do you enjoy reading?
What do you enjoy reading?
Make a recommendation below to share with the HCC ESOL community!
Make a recommendation below to share with the HCC ESOL community!
Opportunities to Go Further
Opportunities to Go Further
Reading is such a valuable way to improve your vocabulary, writing, and comfort in English! Our local public libraries provide a plethora of free resources to continue learning and exploring! If you need help getting a library card, talk to your teacher or advisor.
Help us improve! Please tell us your comments, ideas, and any problems you had with this Independent Learning Kit here.
This learning kit was designed and compiled by Laura Dintino, with revisions by Pesha Black.
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