Part IV: Topics in Adult ESL Education
and Family Literacy
Part IV provides discussion papers for educators who want more in-depth information
pertaining to adult ESL education and family literacy. The following topics are addressed:
- Research on second language acquisition and learning to read in a second language
- Assessment of adult English language learners, including a discussion of federal
requirements for accountability reporting and the use of assessments for tracking
learner progress
- Assessment instruments, including annotated charts showing published assessment
instruments that are used in the field to assess English language and Spanish
language proficiency
- Research-based strategies for working with adult learners with learning disabilities
and other special needs
- Transition strategies used to help learners progress beyond adult ESL classes to
other educational and work opportunities
- Permanent residency and citizenship attainment, including strategies for preparing
students for the citizenship exam