Skill Building for ESL and Special Education - (Simply English) by Kristine Setting Clark (Paperback)

About the Book

Simply English is an ESL curriculum adaptable for elementary though adult learners. Its goal is to help the limited and/or non-English speaker achieve fluency in English words that are essential for everyday life. Simply English can also be incorporated into Special Education ...

Book Synopsis

Simply English is an ESL curriculum adaptable for elementary though adult learners. Its goal is to help the limited and/or non-English speaker achieve fluency in English words that are essential for everyday life. Simply English can also be incorporated into Special Education programs for students who need help with spelling, definitions of words, and correct application of grammatical structures. The 44 instructional units contain the basic information that ELS and Special Education students need to function independently. The Teacher's Text offers suggestions to the teacher, teacher's instructions, and coordinating conversation and written exercises. Because the program is flexible, the teacher may choose to instruct the lessons out of their chronological order. Along with the Student Text and Student Workbook the units compile an entire year of lesson plans for the instructor.

Review Quotes

A highly relevant and useful ESL/Special Education series. The Simply English topical approach program is exactly what I needed for my ESL/Special Education students. The dialogue between 2 people about different situations of American life is an excellent way to improve pronunciation and confidence in speaking. The vocabulary at the beginning of each unit is the perfect starting place for the beginning and/or immediate level writer.

As an ESL teacher of middle school learners, I struggled to find resources that truly meet the needs of my students, most of whom are just beginning to read and write in English. The Simply English series, however, has proven to be a goldmine and the flexibility of each unit has allowed the students to work at their own pace. If you teach students with limited language skills, this book is a must-have.

The new educational program called Simply English is a wonderful new contribution to the resources available for the increasing number of students striving to master the challenging English language. Much thought has gone into the design of this ESL curriculum. Important attention has been paid to the most useful everyday situations that will test the developing English skills of students tackling English as a second language. Of special interest to me are two things: first, the program is adaptable for elementary through adult learners, and second, Dr. Clark has wisely added the often neglected skill of "listening" to the more obvious skills of "reading and writing" as essential to the program. I recommend Simply English as a tool to ESL educators.

The Simply English series is exactly what I have been looking for in an ESL program. I teach elementary school and many of my students are the only somewhat proficient English speaker in their family. Their parents count on them for translation of their language into English. The topical vocabulary and situational exercises are a great help to the student when a translator is needed for medical visits, grocery shopping and other everyday necessities. To accompany the Simply English Student Text, the Simply English Student Workbook exercises have allowed my students to gain confidence in their speech and in their writing.

About the Author

Dr. Kristine Setting Clark, University of San Francisco graduate and author, worked in the field of education for over 30 years. As a teacher, coach and administrator, she developed a comprehensive ESL and Special Education program that was adopted by the State of California's Educational Department.