How it works
Who it’s for:
English language teachers (EFL / EAL /ESL) who teach learners with dyslexia and other SpLDs.
Teachers don’t need to be experienced or specialised in the field as the teacher’s book offers explicit guidance. Teachers can also attend a training course on the ESF method if they wish.
The 3 English Sounds Fun books (‘Ready’, ‘Steady’ and ‘Go!’) cover the same language content as Junior A and Junior B, but follow a different path from existing materials.
It can be used in 1:1 situations as well as small groups, with learners from 8 – 15 years of age, and older if appropriate. It can also be used with learners who have complex difficulties, and any learner who has not benefited from conventional tuition in the past.
The first book in this programme ‘Ready…’ contains the materials for 6 preliminary lessons, designed to prepare the learner for the programme, and the first 38 core lessons. After 5 or 6 lessons there is a consolidation session and a chance for the learner to show what s/he can now do. There are also additional grammar activities for those learners who are ready to learn in a more structured way, and need some explicit input.
The next two books in the programme (‘Ready, Steady…’ and ‘Ready, Steady, Go!’) further develop the student’s vocabulary and grammar use through dyslexia-friendly and fun activities. They will be available later this year.
Book 1 ‘Ready!’ contains the materials for 6 preliminary lessons, designed to prepare the learner for the programme, and the 38 lessons that form the core of the programme. These 38 core lessons are divided into 7 units (A – G). After each of these there is a consolidation session and a chance for the learner to show what s/he can now do.
There are also additional grammar activities for those learners who are ready to learn in a more structured way, and need some explicit input.
Each core lesson highlights a sound from English, and then matches it to a common spelling choice.
It guides the learner through the process of:
1) recognising and producing a sound, both isolated and in the context of a common word
2) recognising a letter
3) matching a sound to a letter
4) forming the letter
5) writing the letter
6) writing words that contain the sound spelled in that way.
Purpose and Aims
ESF is designed for teachers who are working with dyslexic learners and want to try a different approach. It can be used in 1:1 situations as well as small groups, with learners from 8 – 15 years of age, and older if appropriate.
It can also be used with learners who have complex difficulties, and any learner who has not benefitted from conventional tuition in the past.
Training and Information
If you would like to know more about ESF, continue browsing the website, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Also, look out for training courses which are coming soon, to show teachers how to make the most of the programme.
Find out about other events and conferences at which we are presenting and/or exhibiting.
1) to make learning English easy so that all students can communicate confidently in their everyday lives, whether speaking or writing;
2) to support teachers of students with SpLDs by offering training workshops, explicit guidance in the lesson plans, and by providing a forum for the community to share good practice;
3) to raise awareness of specific learning differences (such as dyslexia) amongst teachers, parents and students, so that the 10% of the population who have an SpLD can be fully included in education. Check out the events at which we are presenting and / or exhibiting!
10 Reasons to buy English Sounds Fun
1) it’s self contained
no need to look around for additional materials, it’s all in one place.
2) it’s highly structured
the systematic approach means that students get a good start and then develop step by step as they are ready.
3) it’s holistic
ESF sees the whole person, addresses the things they find difficult, and develops all aspects language
4) the lesson plans are a form of training
they don’t just set out the procedure, they explain the thinking behind the methodology. Teachers learn as they teach.
5) it works well for all learners
everybody can benefit from using the ESF method, not just students with specific learning differences
6) it’s innovative
ESF is a unique combination of approaches drawn from English Language Teaching and support for students with SpLDs
7) it’s great value for money
as well as the books, the package includes all the hands-on materials, the multi-media resources and membership of the on-line community. It is not just a teaching resource, it is a way for teachers to develop their professional expertise.
8) monitoring progress is built in
after each lesson the student assesses his/her own progress, and after every unit there is a progress chart to complete which shows parents and students how well they are doing.
9) it makes learning fun
students learn better when they are enjoying it
10) it makes teaching fun!
and why shouldn’t we have some fun teaching, too?