Community English Worksheets - Minnesota Literacy Council,2012 (Page 3 of 26) in pdf

Community English Worksheets - Minnesota Literacy Council,2012 Page 3

IMPORTANT NOTE about discussing FAMILY: Talking about family in the adult ESL classroom can be a

sensitive topic. Keep in mind that many learners have experienced trauma related to war, many have

lost or been separated from family members, including young children. Some may not know to date

where there siblings are living or if they are even alive. And many have had to make the difficult choice

to leave children in the care of family members in their home country.

As much as possible, try to keep discussions about family open ended and allow learners to volunteer

only the information they are comfortable talking about. For example, it may be better to ask “Tell me

about your family” and avoid specific questions like “How many brothers and sisters do you have?”

Even with these precautions, some learners may feel sad or anxious talking about their families. Watch

closely for feelings of discomfort. Allow learners to step out or take extra breaks as needed. And offer a

compassionate ear if learners feel compelled to talk about sad or worrisome family issues and events.

Teacher Directions:

Activity 1: Life Skills, Literacy

-Stand Out 1, 2

Ed. P. 8

Step 1: Introduce new vocabulary

If possible, bring in photos of your immediate and extended

family (if you don’t have photos, draw stick figures on the board as you

talk). Introduce them one by one as you show their picture. Write their

name and relationship on the board as you talk about them.

Jeff

husband

Linda

mother

If students are able, encourage them to ask you questions about

your family.

Distribute copies of p. 8. Learners repeat the words in the box several times. Give examples of

each relationship in the box from your own family.

Offer additional family relationship vocabulary only when you feel most learners have mastered

the terms in the box AND need the additional words to talk about your family or their own families.

Step 2: Review vocabulary

On the board, draw your family tree, including only the family members you have talked about so

far (if you have a large family, you don’t need to include everyone!). As you draw it, name each person

and their relationship to you.

Ask learners questions about your family…

“Who is my mother?”

Jessica Grace Jones, Minnesota Literacy Council, 2012

p. 3

Beginning Family Unit

Community English Worksheets - Minnesota Literacy Council,2012 Page 3