Emphasize Writing

Integrating reading and writing is essential. Engaging learners in the greater variety of experiences provided when reading and writing instruction are combined leads to a higher level of thinking than when either process is taught alone. Students need to write every day and relate it to reading.

In writing, spelling and punctuation errors should be de-emphasized. The purpose of writing is to communicate and to express oneself. At this level, the teacher should encourage meaningful writing activities without having the learner worry about mechanical mistakes. Dictation can be a useful technique because it encourages sound discrimination as well as practice in writing.

The teacher should incorporate the literacy learner in class writing activities as a reader/listener. More advanced students who write essays can read their draft (providing a copy to the beginning learner). The listening students could then respond with compliments and questions. No negative criticism!