Materials

Using concrete but age-appropriate materials with adult learners enhances instruction by providing a context for language and literacy development. A basic kit of materials might consist of the following objects, games, and materials.

• realia: clocks, food items, calendars, plastic fruits and vegetables, maps, household objects, real and play money, food containers, abacus, manual for learning to drive, and classroom objects;
• flash cards: pictures, words, and signs;
• pictures or photographs: personal, magazine, and others;
• recorder and CDs, including music for imagery and relaxation;
• overhead projector;
• DVD-player and videos;
• camera for language experience stories—to create biographies and autobiographies;
• games such as bingo and concentration: commercial or teacher-made;
• colored index cards to teach word order in sentences, to show when speakers change in dialogue, to illustrate question/answer format, and to use as cues for a concentration game;
• cuisenaire rods to teach word order in sentences, to use as manipulatives in dyad activities;
• colored markers to teach word order, to differentiate between speakers in a dialogue, and to illustrate question and answer format;
• poster, butcher, and construction paper;
• colored pencils, and crayons;
• scissors, glue, and masking tape.