Methods

**Secret Method #1: Close Procedure**
A cloze is a text that has words taken out of it. Students can either fill in the blanks that are left with appropriate, logical responses, or teachers can read the full text and have the students fill in the blanks based on their oral comprehension. In the latter case, the cloze is somewhat of a spelling test. In the former case, spelling does not have to count.

Here is a cloze taken from The House on Mango Street. Cisneros, S. (1984). //The house on Mango Street.// New York, NY: Vintage Books.

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**Secret Method #2: Thematic Units**
A thematic unit is a unit of study that spans several lessons. All of the lessons are based off of one theme or subject, but have different aspects to them. Generally in ESL we use thematic units to teach content area subject matter and English language simultaneously.

The thematic unit that I have posted here is called //Paws to consider: a lesson on canine genetics//. It ties genetics and heredity in with English language learning. Students research the traits of 20 breeds of dogs, then pick two dogs and make a Punnett sqare of how the two dogs' offspring will look.



The thematic unit includes readings from

DiCamillo, K. (2000). //Because of Winn-Dixie//. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

**Secret Method #3: Choral Reading**
Choral reading is an activity wherein the class is all given a copy of a text to read as a group. There are several steps to this activity.

First, the teacher reads the text to the students a few times so that the students are able to understand the vocabulary and pronounce the words.

Next, the students brainstorm gestures and actions that they can do while performing the oral reading.

Finally as a group, the students read the text out loud while performing the gestures that they have decided upon.

Below is an example of a text to be used for choral reading. The text is an excerpt from Anne Frank's //The Diary of a Young Gir//l. Please note that in addition to the text, the choral reading handout should be attractively formatted and have graphics to draw the students' attention and interest.



Frank, A. (1952). //The diary of a young girl//. New York, NY: Schuster & Schuster.

This book was recommended by the faculty of DeAnza College on thier list of texts for low to advanced intermediate ESL students.

DeAnza College Faculty. (n.d.). //Instructor recommended books//. Retrieved from []

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**Secret Method #4: Evaluating ESL Reading Materials **
ESL teachers must find reading materials for their students. Usually the students have varying abilities with written language, so it is necessary to find the right text for each student. One must carefully consider things such as vocabulary and learning supports when choosing the correct text for the student or students to read. In the document below I have evaluated three books: a basal reader, a work of fictional literature, and a nonfiction picture book. Bibliographic information is provided in the text.

[[file:TruaxJEvaluatingMaterials.pdf]]
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