Building foundations: Enhancing writing skills in low-level learners

Supporting and developing students’ literacy skills requires teachers to implement a variety of approaches that are both top-down and bottom-up, and that embrace students where they are and what they bring to class. This means fostering an asset-based mindset that is inclusive and encouraging. The process of developing literacy skills is not easy. Teachers need to be adaptable and aware of the many tools they can use to help diverse students. 

In this presentation, the presenter will initially explore the various challenges teachers face when developing literacy skills, including those encountered when working with students who have low literacy skills in their home languages. The presenter will examine how adopting an asset-based mindset is both motivating and vital in diverse classrooms. Additionally, the presenter will demonstrate how a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, including the Language Experience Approach and Phonics, facilitates literacy development. 

Bio

Lesley Painter-Farrell is currently the Director of the ESL Pathways at…