English as an Additional Language For children completely new to the English language, Letterland International has produced a specifically designed English as a Second Language course (Letterland ESL) which introduces young, second language learners to the shapes and sounds of Aa-Zz along with a systematic teaching of basic English vocabulary and listening and speaking skills. Phonemic awareness is the first requirement for learning any alphabet-based language. This means learning to identify the sounds we make and then linking these sounds to written symbols. The English alphabet names are of limited use for teaching the link between speech sounds and written language. They often mislead because while 8 names begin with the required sound (b, d, j, k, p, t, v, z), no less that 15 actually begin with another letter’s sound! (c, f, g, h, k, l, m, n, q, r, s, u, w, x, y) Furthermore no fewer than 7 alphabet names are also high usage English words: I, you, are, a, be, see and why. The Letterland ESL course removes all the problems caused by trying to learn a-z sounds via the confusing a-z names. The catch-up time for these English language learners is quickly achieved because each letter has a picture (the pictogram) representing its sound built into its shape and repeated twice in its character name. The resulting early success with a-z is a real confidence builder. Once these ESL (or EAL) children have mastered the basics set out in the Letterland ESL course, you will find that you can use the Primary Years Letterland Teacher’s Guide and this Advanced Teacher’s Guide. The children can share immediately in the play-acting, art, craft and singing. Much of the story logic can be retold in their home language if necessary.
For more information about the Letterland ESL range, please visit our website: www.letterland.com
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