Video on learning differences

It can be hard for tutors - especially new and inexperienced tutors - to understand some of the issues faced by our English-speaking learners. Many movies (and even a recent ESL video I saw recently) depict learning to read as something an adult can do pretty quickly if he or she just tries hard. We know, though, that it isn't that simple. Many adult learners struggle with learning differences that make learning to read a whole different experience than anything their tutors have ever faced.

Here is a link to a video that discusses learning differences in adults in interesting and compelling ways, and that I think really brings home the message that it takes more for some people than just trying hard to learn:

http://www.headstrongnation.org/documentary

It's a long video, but there's some interesting material right at the beginning; watch as much as you have time for, because there is a lot of good material here.

Ann Daniels
Families for Literacy Coordinator
Second Start Adult Literacy Program, Oakland