Description
This program will result in rapid acquisition of everyday conversational routines such as asking for directions, talking about families, and planning free time activities with friends. Spanish-speaking newcomers to the U.S. from middle school through adult will quickly become comfortable with engaging in conversations with native English speakers. This program can also be used for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) study in Spanish-speaking countries. Contrary to the prevailing method of teaching English--isolated vocabulary terms and grammar--this program immerses students immediately in listening and participating in everyday conversations. It is based on the audio-lingual approach used by the United States foreign service to quickly give their diplomats and embassy workers functional language skills in the language of their destination country. Unique to this book is the opportunity to personalize each conversational routine/chapter for the students who comprise the learning group. This is the first in a series of books: Future editions will feature other languages, e.g., Chinese and Somali.
About the Author
Dr. Flynn began her professional career teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in La Paz, Bolivia, and Spanish in Winona, MN. Her five-decade affiliation with education has also included teaching elementary, Learning Disabilities, and Preschool Special Education. Before moving to higher education as a teacher educator, Dr. Flynn served as an Educational Diagnostician and head of a dyslexia research project in a multidisciplinary medical clinic. Dr. Flynn has also been involved with a network of middle and high schools for students of color in under-resourced urban communities in Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Montana. Her lifelong interest in prevention and remediation of reading failure has been extended to preparation of students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds for success in college. She has served as Director for the First Generation Initiative at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, which includes Countdown to College, a four-summer high school college preparation program, and FGI Scholars, an intensive college support program for students who are first in their families to attend college. Dr. Flynn's current research focus is on the effects of bilingualism on literacy and vocabulary development. In addition to teaching graduate classes in reading, linguistics, and English language learning, Dr. Flynn has published eBooks and print documents for helping newcomers master the English language. This book, Conversational English for Spanish Speakers, is the first in a series: Forthcoming editions will focus on English acquisition for Chinese and Somali speakers.
