From pre-literate learners to future GED students, adult English learners need more than conversational English to reach their goals. Explore strategies for strengthening literacy instruction in volunteer-led ESL classrooms.
About This Session
Description
Is your classroom preparing students for conversation — or for long-term opportunity? Volunteer-led ESL programs often serve learners across a wide literacy spectrum: adults learning the alphabet for the first time, students preparing for citizenship interviews, and others working toward employment or a GED.
In many volunteer-led settings, speaking and listening naturally take center stage — but what happens when reading and writing fall behind? This session helps teachers connect the dots between foundational literacy skills and long-term learner goals. Together, we’ll examine the literacy progression from pre-literate beginnings to workplace readiness, citizenship preparation, and GED-level expectations.
Participants will gain practical strategies for supporting students of all literacy backgrounds and learn how to intentionally prioritize literacy in their classrooms and programs.
What we'll cover:
This interactive session is designed for volunteer ESL teachers, program coordinators, literacy leaders working with English learners, and adult education administrators working in community-based or volunteer-led programs.
Participants will:
- Identify how literacy needs change across different learner populations and goals
- Examine the relationship between oral language development and foundational literacy instruction
- Reflect on how program priorities and classroom practices can intentionally support long-term learner outcomes
- Leave with practical, adaptable strategies for integrating literacy development into volunteer-led ESL classrooms
Topics & Focus
Primary Topic Area
Session will also cover:
Assigned by TCALL
Pending
Audience
Level
Case study?
Promotion?
A note from the presenter:
No other info available at this time.
Handouts & Materials
No handouts or materials available at this time.
“Name of Session” – session presentation slides (PDF)
Name of Document – lesson sample (PDF)
Name of Document (PDF)
Name of Document – infographic (JPG)
Presenter
Katie Welch, Ph.D.
Teacher Trainer
Literacy ConneXus
Visit Literacy ConneXus in the conference Exhibitor Area!
Katie Welch, Ph.D., is a university instructor, program director, teacher trainer, and active volunteer in adult education classrooms. She currently serves as Interim Director of the English Language Institute at the University of Texas at Arlington and teaches courses preparing educators for adult ESOL classrooms.
Katie has trained ESOL educators working in adult education, community-based programs, and K–12 schools. She spent seven years with the Emerging Teacher Institute at UNT Dallas and regularly provides professional development for adult ESOL teachers through partnerships with Cambridge University Press & Assessment, Literacy ConneXus, and Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy and Learning (T-CALL).
The U.S. Department of State English Language Specialist Program selected Katie for projects supporting English teacher development in Poland and Turkey. She has also served as President and Treasurer of TexTESOL V and was named TexTESOLer of the Year in 2024. Her research and classroom ideas have been published in American Speech and Language.
Breakout26 – WELCH
Page checked or updated: 6/10/2026
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