Teaching > Theory and Practice

Phonics works...even in the ESL classroom

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travelinpantsgirl:
 I know it seems like an obvious thing to say but...it really does. I just wanted to share my experiences on this from today.

Last school year I decided that my (3rd grade) students needed to be taught their ABCs and phonics. The books, when they even attempt the alphabet, do a crappy job. My poor kids (quite literally) were frustrated and unhappy with English class; because honestly how much would you like a subject when you can't understand anything except listen and repeat??? So, last term, I made an ABC workbook covering 3-4 letters per lesson. Finishing the book in one term. Interspersed in between were phonics worksheets and activities showing them the connectivity between letters - sounds - words. The result: An extraordinarily enthusiastic grade 3 with a fever for English. They loved their workbooks, and they would ask whenever we came to class, "Is it ABC time?"
Now that same grade 3 is now grade 4 and we will now teach them full on phonics. They have phonics workbooks that I got from here: http://www.funfonix.com/
We started the books today and to my CT's and my amazement they knew the words right off and they did the work no problem. They could read them and what's more they understood my instructions in English. They have also had the advantage of having 85% English classroom, where only complicated instructions are translated and the difference is amazing.
If you are teaching really low level and are struggling for them to understand classroom content, my suggestion is introduce the idea of phonics to your school...my students couldn't be happier and more well behaved.
It is a lot of work though and requires a good relationship with your CT. You also have to condense your book lessons to leave one class open per lesson to teach it.
If you choose to do it... I wish you luck and happy students!
If anyone needs any help or advice on this, just msg me!

erin.stauber:
Thanks for the website. If you are teaching phonics and want them to read books that are on their level, readinga-z.com is a great site for tons of books. The only drawback is that there is a subscription :( but there are some websites with other printable books or books you could turn into a powerpoint for class reading.

Joltz:

--- Quote from: weirdgirlinkorea on March 07, 2012, 08:16:53 PM --- I know it seems like an obvious thing to say but...it really does. I just wanted to share my experiences on this from today.

Last school year I decided that my (3rd grade) students needed to be taught their ABCs and phonics. The books, when they even attempt the alphabet, do a crappy job. My poor kids (quite literally) were frustrated and unhappy with English class; because honestly how much would you like a subject when you can't understand anything except listen and repeat??? So, last term, I made an ABC workbook covering 3-4 letters per lesson. Finishing the book in one term. Interspersed in between were phonics worksheets and activities showing them the connectivity between letters - sounds - words. The result: An extraordinarily enthusiastic grade 3 with a fever for English. They loved their workbooks, and they would ask whenever we came to class, "Is it ABC time?"
Now that same grade 3 is now grade 4 and we will now teach them full on phonics. They have phonics workbooks that I got from here: http://www.funfonix.com/
We started the books today and to my CT's and my amazement they knew the words right off and they did the work no problem. They could read them and what's more they understood my instructions in English. They have also had the advantage of having 85% English classroom, where only complicated instructions are translated and the difference is amazing.
If you are teaching really low level and are struggling for them to understand classroom content, my suggestion is introduce the idea of phonics to your school...my students couldn't be happier and more well behaved.
It is a lot of work though and requires a good relationship with your CT. You also have to condense your book lessons to leave one class open per lesson to teach it.
If you choose to do it... I wish you luck and happy students!
If anyone needs any help or advice on this, just msg me!

--- End quote ---

Just out of curiousity what age range are your kids? I'd love to teach phonics to my kids but I'm scared that they'll see the material and dismiss it because it looks to childish. (I am teaching middle schoolers) Any advice?

travelinpantsgirl:

--- Quote from: Joltz on March 09, 2012, 10:08:00 AM ---
--- Quote from: weirdgirlinkorea on March 07, 2012, 08:16:53 PM --- I know it seems like an obvious thing to say but...it really does. I just wanted to share my experiences on this from today.

Last school year I decided that my (3rd grade) students needed to be taught their ABCs and phonics. The books, when they even attempt the alphabet, do a crappy job. My poor kids (quite literally) were frustrated and unhappy with English class; because honestly how much would you like a subject when you can't understand anything except listen and repeat??? So, last term, I made an ABC workbook covering 3-4 letters per lesson. Finishing the book in one term. Interspersed in between were phonics worksheets and activities showing them the connectivity between letters - sounds - words. The result: An extraordinarily enthusiastic grade 3 with a fever for English. They loved their workbooks, and they would ask whenever we came to class, "Is it ABC time?"
Now that same grade 3 is now grade 4 and we will now teach them full on phonics. They have phonics workbooks that I got from here: http://www.funfonix.com/
We started the books today and to my CT's and my amazement they knew the words right off and they did the work no problem. They could read them and what's more they understood my instructions in English. They have also had the advantage of having 85% English classroom, where only complicated instructions are translated and the difference is amazing.
If you are teaching really low level and are struggling for them to understand classroom content, my suggestion is introduce the idea of phonics to your school...my students couldn't be happier and more well behaved.
It is a lot of work though and requires a good relationship with your CT. You also have to condense your book lessons to leave one class open per lesson to teach it.
If you choose to do it... I wish you luck and happy students!
If anyone needs any help or advice on this, just msg me!

--- End quote ---

Just out of curiousity what age range are your kids? I'd love to teach phonics to my kids but I'm scared that they'll see the material and dismiss it because it looks to childish. (I am teaching middle schoolers) Any advice?

--- End quote ---
Yeah that might be a challenge. Mine are 3rd grade elementary. I guess you could take the books I linked to and make up your own with less juvenile pictures. Also, though it may initially seem childish, but if as a group they all know they can't read English, they will get over it feeling childish when they discover it's hard but rewarding. The only way I think it will work in your situation is for ALL your students are not able to read. I understand in most middle schools, they are split by level, if this is your situation, ask the lowest level students if they would like to learn how read using a method (phonics) that makes it easier. Giving them the choice might make a difference. Thankfully, my students are so little they are still very compliant. Good luck! 

lynnj33:
Hi there, thank you for the advice but at my school, I don't have a CT. I have to work alone and from a syllabus given by the school. The students have their Korean teacher and then me as the foreign english teacher. The problem is I have suggested ways to improve as I have  2 struggling students but the Korean teachers firmly believe in their syllabus. When there is spare time left I make them practice as a class words that they struggle with.

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