Addressing the Literacy Needs of Adult English Learners

This chapter provides an overview of what literacy development in a new language entails. The chapter argues for the imperative of well-integrated literacy instruction in all curricula for adult English language learners. It starts with an overview of teaching reading with adult English learners, including the differing needs of emergent readers compared to those with already developed literacy skills in their first language. A summary of research on reading instruction and adult English learners is provided and approaches for teaching reading at different levels are presented. Literacy development also includes writing, so this chapter includes a brief discussion and examples of teaching writing with adult English learners. The chapter concludes with an overview of scaffolds that can support English learners' success in any lesson. Guidelines for well-integrated literacy instruction in all curricula for adult English learners are provided throughout the chapter.