The Publish It!
Literacy Carousel

For Adult Literacy ELL

The Publish It website is a resource that can be utilized not only by children and parents, but also by groups such adult English Language Learners (ELLs). The needs of the English language learner differ from the needs of other learners in that they have, for the most part, already developed the literacy skills of their native language. Existing literacy skills will support ELLs, as they become increasing fluent English speakers and writers. The Publish It website can be used to further ELL’s progress towards fluency in a number of ways.

The following are several ways in which the ELL can employ the Publish It website:

·         Phrase handbook- Write an extensive list of phrases/idioms that you hear or come across in conversation with a native speaker, while watching TV, listening to the radio, or surfing the net. This phrasebook will help you become proficient with local jargon, and familiar with commonly spoken words. Take pictures representing particular phrases or idioms. Be creative and make Wordles using the website www.wordle.net. Save them as a file on your computer to upload to the Publish It template later on, or print and scan them.

·         Personal Dictionary – Write a book of vocabulary that you come across that you would like to use more frequently. Make sure you research each word thoroughly and write an accurate definition. Write a pronunciation guide next to each word if needed as well. In order to challenge yourself, write your list of words in alphabetical order. Take pictures of objects or items of things found in your list for reference.

·         Idioms: A great way to expand your knowledge of a language is to get to know local idioms. Write a book, collecting the idioms that you come across on a daily basis. Write a sentence or two explaining what each idiom means so you can practice incorporating idioms in your speech. Add photos of each person that shares an idiom with you, the city or town you are living in, or something that represents the idiom you are explaining.

·         Autobiography – Introduce yourself! Include facts about yourself such as your real name, your place of birth, your native language, culture, and traditions. Describe your family, friends, as well as any other pertinent information you feel comfortable sharing. You may wish to discuss personal hobbies and interests as well, or perhaps a story from your childhood.  Include pictures to make your autobiography more interesting.

·         Weekend Events – Write a reflective piece about an event, trip, festival, outing that occurred during your free time, (holiday, weekend, vacation, etc.). Make sure you remember to take photos so that you can share them in your book.

·         Functional Role Playing– Imagine conversing with someone from the public sector. Think about the language you might need to use while speaking to a salesclerk, waiter/waitress, receptionist, doctor, bank teller, bus driver, taxi driver, etc. Write a role-play that can be acted out in class involving one of these characters. Practice acting out this role-play with a couple friends beforehand and take pictures to add to your book.

·         Pair and Share: Write some interesting facts about yourself such as fascinating experiences, personal interests, collections, strange quirks, funny stories, etc. When complete, exchange your book with a partner and then share what you have read with the rest of the class.

·         Directions: Choose your favourite restaurant or shop in town and then write clear and concise walking directions to this place. Use the language school as your starting point. Take photos of things you will see along the way to give hints or simply draw and scan a map to follow. Exchange books with a classmate and take turns following each other’s directions.

·         Grammatical Tenses: Use the Publish It tool as an avenue to practice writing in different tenses. Use the following ideas as a starting point:

-          Write a cultural cookbook and share some of your favourite cultural recipes. Make sure to include a list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions written in the present tense. Prepare each dish ahead of time so that you can take a photo for your cookbook. If permitted, bring in each dish to the class for sampling.

-          Write a story about an event that occurred in the past using the simple past and past perfect tenses. You may choose to write about a personal experience or a fictional one.

-          Describe what your life will be like ten years in the future using the future tense, “I will” and “I am going to…”

-          Questions – Ask as many questions as you can, using as many grammatical structures as possible. “Can I, Do you, Is he/she, Are we, Am I, Did you, May I, Could you? Would it?” Search out answers to your questions if possible and write them down under your question.

-          What would you do if you won the lottery? Write your response using conditional language: is using “would, could, wouldn’t, couldn’t.”

·         Write a book about Canada: Dedicate each page to something you love about Canada. Write a detailed paragraph about each thing accompanied by a drawing or a photograph.

·         Show and Tell: Take pictures of interesting artifacts from your home that represents your culture. Describe each item in detail: It’s name, its use, what it looks like. Share this book with your classmates.

·         Dictations: Have each student write a 1-page dictation to be used in class at a later date. Students may choose their own topics. Each dictation must be edited and proofread thoroughly before publication. When completed, print a copy of the dictation booklet for each student in the class so that everyone has an individual copy to study with. Take pictures of the class and add for color!

·         Book on Canadian Currency: Write a book comparing your native currency with Canadian currency.  Describe each monetary unit, what it looks like, how much it’s worth, and it’s equivalent in your own currency. Take pictures of the money to accompany your text.

·         Extended portfolio/ resume: Use the Publish It website to write an English version of your resume or portfolio in order to find gainful employment while living in Nova Scotia.  

·         Neighborhood directory: Walk around your community, taking pictures of all the places that you will need to frequent and access such as the hospital, grocery store, police department, parks, etc. In our book, you will describe each place, defining what they are, what you do there, and how often you visit.