Adapting Instructional Materials for L2 Learners

Using simplified texts

Adjust downwards the readability level of the material.

By simplifying text:

1. vocabulary load2. syntactical complexity 3. augmenting text with

additional cues and supports

(Conway, 1996)

Teachers help pupils to select published reading materials in terms of language complexity.

Dissenting views

English teachers have always needed the skills to teach and assess speaking and listening.

Teachers adapt and modify material in an easier form, or by creating new supplementary materials at a simpler level.

b) Shorten sentence length or change sentence structure:

Sentence length:1. Long sentence-It demands on pupils’ attention and

working memory.Grammatically complex sentences- It is difficult for pupils to read.

2. Sentence structure-Sentences in active voice are easier.For example: Mary mailed the letter. (Active) The letter was mailed by Mary. (Passive)

Disadvantage: -It can result in fairly stilted language patterns.-It reduces the natural semantic and syntactic cues.

Include a framework for speaking and listening

Adapting print materials

c) Provide clear illustrations or diagrams:1. Illustrations can be helpful in supporting the text.2. It has to relate directly and unambiguously to the

information in the paragraph.3. The illustrations should not simply be cute

cartoon or other establishments.

a) Simplify vocabulary:1. Teachers have to make

sure pupils know the meaning of words on the page.

2. Teachers should not use difficult word.

3. Teachers use a particular word in the text sometimes.For example: “bacteria”-The word should be used but teacher should pre-teach the meaning and the recognition of the word.

Disadvantage: Remove too much of the natural challenge that disallow pupils to build independent word-attack skills.

Teachers have to take control of vocabulary and sentence length together with deliberate repetition of words and phrases.

d) Highlight important terms:1. Cueing-bold type, colour or underline

important terms.2. Margin- Good for definition and

explanation of the term.

d) Improve the layout and format of the sheet; try larger font size.

1. Do not prepare sheets that are too over packed with information.

2. Paragraphs should be brief, simple and well-spaced.

3. Remove unnecessary detail.4. Increasing the print size.

e) Use bullet points or lists when preparing worksheets or notes.

1. Low density of information on the page.2. Small chunks of information are easier to

understand.