An emergent reader is illiterate, yet comes to language learning with a vast skillset. Find out how to identify an emergent reader and employ teaching strategies that best meet their needs.
That means that they have beginner literacy skills and may only just be learning to read. English language learners whose native language does not have a written form, or has a different alphabet than the Roman alphabet used in English are often emergent readers. Similarly, those who never had the chance to attend formal school and did not learn to read or write as children may also fit this category. Poverty, political upheaval, natural disasters, famine, or gender inequality in a learner's home country can often make formal schooling impossible to attain.
Although you may not realize it, emergent readers comprise a significant portion of English language learners. For these learners, written language can initially be a mystery. Letters and words are nothing more than an arbitrary representation of spoken language. Consequently, they have trouble connecting written words to actual people, things, or ideas.
These students typically learn through speaking and listening, and focus on the meaning of words rather than on form. They also process language differently from learners who already have print literacy skills and "hear" oral language differently. Since they are not visualizing text when they hear someone talk, they may not recognize different segments of speech or morphemes that are important for full English literacy.
Emergent readers face many challenges, but it's important to remember that they often bring strong linguistic skills in oral genres such as poetry, songs, stories, proverbs, or jokes to the table. Not knowing how to read can be embarrassing--these learners may be initially reluctant to divulge their limited print literacy, but they are more than capable of learning. Tutors must be aware that their strengths and weaknesses are different from learners who are already literate in a language that uses the Roman alphabet, and they should adjust their teaching style to accommodate emergent readers' needs.
To learn more about emergent readers and some of the ways in which you can adapt your lessons to better fit their needs, consider taking a free online course from ELL-U. The whole thing takes about 2 hours to complete, but you can choose to skip through some sections if you don't have that much time to spare.
To take the course, register at ELL-U (free), and search for the online courses "Teaching Adult ELLs Who Are Emergent Readers."
You'll find the course offers many insights into some of the languages struggles our learners face.
Happy tutoring!
Catherine Sigmond
Project Assistant, English At Large
MA Candidate, Tufts University Department of Education
catherine@englishatlarge.org
ENGLISH AT LARGE
Literacy and Learning for Life
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