Had a Conversation with Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld, a Pioneer in Popularizing Co-Teaching Models
It is truly humbling to meet and talk with some of the top minds in the field of ESL. To have meaningful conversations, discussing significant topics related to teaching multilingual learners with some of the most knowledgeable people on the planet is both rewarding and inspiring. Having such shop talk with the likes of Dr. Honigsfeld and others is, honestly, incredibly eye-opening.
Advocating for Inclusive Writing Instruction at SETESOL 2025
I recently had the honor of presenting Research-Based Strategies for Teaching Reading & Writing to Adult Learners at the 2025 SETESOL Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas. Held at the Statehouse Convention Center, this year’s conference theme “ACT to Impact: Advocate, Collaborate, and Teach” reflected the urgency and heart behind our work with English learners.
In my session, I explored how phonics-based instruction, integrated with scaffolded writing routines, can help Level 1 English learners build both literacy and confidence. I drew from classroom-tested strategies featured in I Want To Learn English (2nd Ed.) and Writing Journey for Beginners, offering participants a practical and research-based approach to inclusive writing instruction. More than 40 educators joined the session, and some walked away with free copies of the textbooks.
A highlight of this presentation was the first-time unveiling of my writing assessment tool, designed specifically for adolescent and adult English learners at the beginning stages of language development. Inspired by the WIDA Can Do Descriptors, but tailored to the realities of adult ESL classrooms, this rubric emphasizes clarity, accessibility, and growth. I walked through both the theoretical foundations and real-world application of the tool.
It was incredibly affirming to hear from attendees (especially a representative from WIDA) who found the approach both thoughtful and necessary. These conversations reinforced the need for assessment tools that reflect the actual journeys of our learners, not just standardized metrics.
📂 View the presentation slides here.
My deepest thanks to the SETESOL and ARKTESOL communities for creating space to advocate, collaborate, and teach with purpose. If you attended and would like a sample copy of the materials (or a closer look at the assessment tool) please don’t hesitate to reach out or CLICK HERE. Let’s keep writing our way forward—together.
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Sharing Writing Strategies at MIDTESOL 2025
I recently had the honor of presenting Structured Writing Strategies for Beginner English Learners at the MIDTESOL Conference in Cedar Rapids. The hospitality of the Iowa community and the enthusiasm of attendees made it an unforgettable experience. Over 50 educators joined me and engaged in the session to support English learners on their quest to become better writers. You can now access the presentation slides here and explore related articles throughout this website. During the session, I highlighted my textbooks, I Want To Learn English (2nd Ed.) and Writing Journey for Beginners, and gave away free copies to four educators. I also shared how Dr. Carol Salva’s encouragement continues to inspire this work.
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New Publication Alert! 🎉
We’re thrilled to announce the publication of a groundbreaking study in the Journal of English Learner Education! In “The Use of Phonics With Adult ELLs at the Beginner Level,” author Jose V. Torres explores the impact of phonics-integrated instruction on beginner adult English learners. Drawing on assessment data—such as vowel discrimination tasks from the I Want To Learn English textbook—and CASAS performance results from Baltimore Community College, the study reveals compelling, measurable gains in both English proficiency and course completion rates stars.library.ucf.edu.
This research fills a vital gap in adult ESL pedagogy and offers concrete recommendations for educators designing literacy-focused curricula. By demonstrating the value of phonics instruction within a contextualized framework, the study champions more effective and inclusive classroom practices.
What this means for you:
This study offers evidence-based strategies that you can apply in adult beginner ESL settings (as well as with adolescents), especially when teaching foundational skills like phonemic awareness and decoding. It underscores the power of phonics in accelerating literacy and language acquisition, guiding curriculum development and teaching methods forward with clarity and precision.
We invite you to read the full study HERE and explore how these insights might enhance your own instructional approach. Thank you for being part of this vibrant community dedicated to advancing language learning for adults.
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Now Available: Writing Journey for Beginners
I’m excited to announce the release of Writing Journey for Beginners, a much-needed resource that’s already being embraced by educators in the ELD community and beyond. Designed specifically to support Level 1 English learners and general education students who struggle with foundational writing skills, this book offers a structured, practical approach to building confidence and competence in writing.
What’s more, teachers outside of ELD programs are using it to supplement their instruction and support students who need extra help developing essential writing skills. With step-by-step guidance, scaffolded activities, and video components accessible via QR codes, Writing Journey for Beginners is helping classrooms meet students where they are—and take them where they need to go. Get your copy HERE.
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I was interviewed on the Language Access Lectern as part of the PGLS podcast where I discuss the origins of the textbook “I Want To Learn English” and also divulge some very personal history about my upbringing. This is definitely something I am proud to share.
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In the fall of 2024, I presented at two important TESOL conferences. One in Iowa/Nebraska (MIDTESOL) and in Minnesota (MELEd). In both, I shared resources and teaching tools focusing on utilizing smartphones to enhance language learning for ESL students (especially newcomers). The PDF for this presentation can be dowloaded HERE. Both conferences were very enriching for me, as I gathered a plethora of useful information and teaching tools from the presenters I was fortunate enough to see. But Minnesota concludes my conference schedule for the year and I look forward to visiting new places and sharing more in 2025.
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I was invited to give a presentation on the importance of phonics for adult English learners at an incredible workshop held at the Excel Center in Baltimore City on October 10, 2024. Administrators, instructional leaders and ESL staff from around the country met to discuss the direction of their regional programs and share pertinent information pertaining to instruction of adult English learners. Everyone in attendance proudly displayed their copy of the book “I Want To Learn English.”
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Are you connected with IWTLE and me on social media? Check out our handles and follow us! We’ll follow back.
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Please check out and subscribe to our YouTube channel so you won’t miss an update and see our growing catalogue of videos that align with the book and are useful resources in general.
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IWTLE’s parent company, The JV Myka Publishing Company, is now publishing classic works from noted authors such as Ernest Hemingway, Mary Shelley, H.G. Wells and more. Get up to date with all the new publications HERE.
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Colorín Colorado published a short piece I wrote about things I wish I had known at the beginning of my career in teaching English to ELLs.
Read it HERE.
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I was a guest on the radio show “On the Record with Sheilah Kast” on WYPR in Baltimore to talk about the Trump decision on DACA. Click the link below to listen.
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My presentation on phonemic awareness and teaching phonics to adults at TESOL International’s 2017 Convention in Seattle, WA was well received by a packed room of people from all over the world. The session was recorded and will be made available online soon by a third party contracted by TESOL International. When that becomes available, I will post the link so others who could not make the session can access it. Also, the power point and rubric used for that session can be downloaded using the links below. Thanks to everyone who attended.
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Through some contacts I have with the AFT, the Huffington Post expressed interest in publishing my views on DACA based on a speech I gave in DC back in January. It is likely I will contribute more in the weeks to come. You can view the opinion piece here. Please share. Thanks!
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At Baltimore City Community College, their publication “BCCC Daily News” published a story on me and my textbook in spring 2016. Even though I saw the write-up, I didn’t actually have a copy of it until now. So I am posting it here for anyone interested in reading what BCCC had to say about the textbook and me.
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On January 14, 2017, I was asked to speak at the #HereToStay rally to mobilize an effort to protect immigrants and other minority groups from the threatening political climate of the incoming presidential administration. I am sharing my short speech in an effort to bring awareness of a movement to dismantle DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and the deportation of millions of immigrants in the United States.
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I presented at the Maryland TESOL Conference on November 12th, 2016 at Howard Community College. The Session titled “Phonemic Awareness and Literacy: Teaching Phonics to Adults” was an enormous success and it was standing room only in the room. Many instructors and others requested the power point presentation. For all those interested and could not attend the conference, feel free to download the power point and email any questions you may have.Thank you for your interest!
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A short video on how to get the IWTLE audio tracks on your smartphone or tablet is now online. Please check out the video.