I Want To Learn English

With over 23 years of working with English Learners and now authoring two textbooks for level 1 beginners, there are some “essentials” all instructors working with Multilingual Learners should have in their planning toolbox. The centerpiece “essential” for beginners is phonics. There are benefits to focusing on phonics for intermediate level students as well, but primarily it is mostly necessary with those students at the beginner level. Using phonics to teach English to newcomer learners can be very effective as it helps them understand the sounds of English letters and how they combine to form words. Here are 12 essential principles for using phonics in teaching English to newcomer learners:

1. Start with the basics: Begin with teaching the alphabet and the corresponding sounds of each letter. Make sure they understand the sounds of consonants and vowels.
2. Use visual aids: Incorporate visual aids such as flashcards or posters with letters and their corresponding sounds. This helps reinforce learning and provides a visual reference for students.
3. Introduce phonetic patterns: Teach common phonetic patterns such as consonant blends (e.g., bl, gr, st) and vowel combinations (e.g., ai, oa, ee). Practice reading words with these patterns regularly.
4. Interactive activities: Engage students in interactive activities such as word games, puzzles, or online phonics exercises. This makes learning fun and helps reinforce phonics skills.
5. Modeling and repetition: Model correct pronunciation of words and sounds, and encourage students to repeat after you. Repetition is key to mastering phonics skills.
6. Progressive learning: Start with simple words and gradually introduce more complex ones as students gain confidence. Break down longer words into syllables or phonetic components to make them easier to decode.
7. Provide ample practice: Offer plenty of opportunities for students to practice reading phonetically regular words and decode unfamiliar ones. Use leveled readers or phonics workbooks tailored to their proficiency level.
8. Contextualize learning: Connect phonics instruction to real-life contexts by using texts, stories, or passages that are relevant to students’ interests or experiences.
9. Differentiated instruction: Recognize that students may have different learning styles and paces of learning. Provide individualized support and adjust instruction accordingly.
10. Encourage multisensory learning: Incorporate auditory, visual, and kinesthetic elements into phonics instruction. For example, students can listen to the sounds, see the letters, and trace them with their fingers.
11. Celebrate progress: Acknowledge and celebrate students’ achievements and progress in learning phonics. Positive reinforcement boosts motivation and confidence.
12. Consistent practice: Encourage students to practice phonics skills regularly, both in the classroom and at home. Consistency is key to mastery.

It is important to note these 12 essential principles are the foundation of the “I Want To Learn English” textbook and what I used to guide the development of the activities within the book. An instructor really should evaluate their students and tailor lessons/activities based on the most critical areas of linguistic need. However, for beginners, their target needs largely encircle phonemic awareness and building on their phonic foundations. This is why so much of the textbook focuses on phonics throughout the lessons.

To order your copy of the “I Want To Learn English” student textbook, click HERE. And, of course, the Teacher’s Manual is always a necessity. Order your Teacher’s Manual HERE.