Teaching English for Health

Hi Everyone,

I want to pass on this description of a really great program that they have been doing in Wisconsin for quite a while now. We mentioned it in our recent discussion, Health Literacy in ABE and ESOL - Part 4: What People are Doing? Take a look and let us know what you think!

Julie

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Teaching English for Health: A Health Literacy Curriculum for Adult English Language Learners

Contact: Jeff Burkhart, jeff@litnetwork.org, 608-244-3911
	
Literacy Network of Dane County has developed a complete replication guide and training for its award-winning English for Health curriculum in Madison, Wisconsin. Named a promising practice for improving minority health outcomes by the State of Wisconsin, the guide includes 24 detailed lesson plans and worksheets designed for multi-level English language instruction. The program provides 48 hours of health literacy instruction and practice over 12 weeks. Literacy Network offers training, materials and support of organizations to help them get their own English for Health program.  “The curriculum stands on its own.  You’ve given excellent tools that an informal ESL instructor can use to deliver a really great class to help people improve their own health,” said Extension Agent Donna Shanklin of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

English language learners met in a partner hospital or clinic twice a week for group instruction provided by certified TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language) instructors. This guide was written for adult education instructors with prior knowledge of TESOL methodology.  Lessons are supplemented by health care professionals, and the curriculum is designed to incorporate health care providers as guests. The program features a mock clinic in which adult learners and health care providers interact in a safe educational environment. 

The content and structure is adaptable to the needs, circumstances, and interests of the cultural communities of individual programs.  Teaching English for Health provides the tools necessary to teach English for Health with adults who have low literacy and limited English proficiency. Using English language instruction contextualized to health literacy content and practice opportunities, the model helps participants navigate their local health care system and become informed users of health care services for themselves and their families. 

Teaching English for Health includes 24 lesson plans—one for each class or session. The lesson plans are step-by-step guides which include everything an instructor needs to provide students with information and hands-on practice that will improve their English language skills and increase their knowledge of good health practices. As a result, participants become better able to make and communicate good decisions about their health care. 

Instructors are introduced to each lesson with a description of its purpose and step-by-step instructions for conducting the class.  The schedule for each of the twenty-four class sessions may be modified and will ultimately be determined by the size of the group, the amount of class discussion, the literacy levels of the participants, and the schedule of provider presentations. 

The curriculum was created with a multi-level audience in mind. Most activities are leveled, offering an option for beginning, intermediate and advanced students.  The activities create opportunities for instructors to stimulate discussion or delve deeper into a topic and opportunities for learners to reflect on information provided in the lectures or practice new skills.

To learn more about Teaching English for Health, contact:
Jeff Burkhart, Executive Director
jeff@litnetwork.org, 608-244-3911