Multi-Level Reading for Adults

Individual tutors have many questions about reading and writing. Two of the most common are "Where can I find adult-sized reading material that is written at an easier level for beginners?" and "How can I know whether material is at the right level for my learner?"
Marshall Adult Education has a so much useful stuff for literacy tutors that also works well for ESL that I hardly know where to begin. Tutors who want to work on reading and writing, vocabulary and even GED preparation can find lesson plans, stories and interactive games to play at home or on a library computer. Reading and writing stories give information for adults on nutrition, employment, child-rearing and a very wide variety of grownup themes.

The stories can be downloaded as PDF files or printed out for portability. They all begin with anticipatory questions and simple definitions of vocabulary words to help learners think about and retain they are reading. They end with comprehension questions and writing exercises. The story featured here is at level 1.5 and is 150 words long. A sample sentence goes like this one:

“Fruits, vegetables, whole grains,chicken, and fish,” the doctor replies. “These are all good foods. Eat them every day. Plus water; drink lots of water.”

“What is junk food?” asks Jane.

A level 8.0 story about Sacagawea begins thus: "Although no two accounts of her life are the same, Sacagawea ... played a significant role in the settling of the west," and is about 560 words long. Note that the reading levels do not necessarily represent grade level equivalents but are relative numbers—like the numbers on a guitar amplifier.

At the home page you will find links to other sites addressing needs like getting a GED or specific kinds of employment. Clicking the Resource Center link will bring up match, science, social studies, computer training and sites where students can download free educational software. It's a Comstock lode of education resources. Thanks to educator Andy Poulos for bringing this site to our attention.