Skill Building for ESL and Special Education

Dr. Kristine Setting Clark , University of San Francisco graduate and author, worked in the field of education for over 30 years. As a teacher, coach and administrator, she developed a comprehensive ESL and Special Education program that was adopted by the State of California’s Educational Department.

• IntroductionCOORDINATING CONVERSATIONAL EXERCISES1. PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION I Introductions2. PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION II Personal Information3. EDUCATION AND SCHOOLING I General information on schedules and classes4. EDUCATION AND SCHOOLING II School terminology, buildings, rooms, equipment, etc.5. THE TELEPHONE/THE CELL PHONE Terminology related to phones and their use6. BEHAVIOR Appropriate and inappropriate behavior in various situations7. FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS Identification of family members and their relationships8. OCCUPATIONS Identification of various occupations and related expressions9. HEALTH I Parts of the body10. HEALTH II Description of ailments, accidents and related terminology11. HEALTH III Doctor and hospital services12. HEALTH IV The drugstore13. HEALTH V Dental and orthodontic services14. HEALTH VI Personal hygiene15. HEALTH VII Emergency services16. MONEY AND BANKING Information in regard to money and banking matters17. SHOPPING I Terminology needed in general shopping situations18. SHOPPING II Clothing19. SHOPPING III Accessories20. SHOPPING IV Grocery shopping at supermarkets and small grocery stores21. SHOPPING V Specific foods: dairy products, meats, fruits, etc.22. MEALS Terminology of breakfast, lunch and dinner23. AT THE RESTAURANT Reservations, ordering and paying the bill24. SPORTS AND SPORTS EQUIPMENT Terminology related to sports, sports equipment and sportsmanship25. FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS Terminology in regard to feelings and emotions26. LEISURE TIME I Hobbies, activities and interests at home27. LEISURE TIME II Hobbies, activities and interests away from the home28. LIVING QUARTERS/DWELLINGS I Living quarters/dwellings and their locations29. LIVING QUARTERS/DWELLINGS II Inside and outside of dwelling: Renting vs. Owning30. ROOMS IN THE HOME I Living room, dining room and hall 31. ROOMS IN THE HOME II The kitchen32. ROOMS IN THE HOME III The bedroom33 ROOMS IN THE HOME IV The bathroom34. HOUSEHOLD CHORES AND HOME MAINTENANCE Terminology related to various chores and maintenance within and/or near the home35. THE POST OFFICE Related terminology in regard to transactions at the post office36. TIME, THE CALENDAR, HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS Terminology in regard to time, the calendar, the United States holidays and celebrations37. WEATHER AND SEASONS Terminology related to the weather and the seasons of the year38. TRANSPORTATION I – BY ROAD The car, transportation by car and car maintenance39. TRANSPORTATION II – PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Public transportation by road and track40. TRANSPORTATION III – ALTERNATIVES BY ROAD Alternative modes of road transportation41. TRANSPORTATION IV – THE TRAIN Transportation by rail and track42. TRANSPORTATION V – BY AIR Transportation by airplane and helicopter 43. TRANSPORTATION VI – BY WATER Transportation by water44. TAKING A VACATION/TRIP Terminology regarding vacations and tripsAbout the Author

The new educational program called Simply English is a wonderful new contribution to the resources available for the increasing number of students striving to master the challenging English language. Much thought has gone into the design of this ESL curriculum. Important attention has been paid to the most useful everyday situations that will test the developing English skills of students tackling English as a second language. Of special interest to me are two things: first, the program is adaptable for elementary through adult learners, and second, Dr. Clark has wisely added the often neglected skill of "listening" to the more obvious skills of "reading and writing" as essential to the program. I recommend Simply English as a tool to ESL educators.