The writing prompts shown below encourage students of all ages to write about the things in their lives that are meaningful to them—their childhood memories and family stories, the people they love and admire, their hopes for the future, their deepest beliefs. They are a sampling of the many prompts to be found my new, free e-book, Something to Write About: Writing Prompts for English Language Learners and Literacy Students. You can download the complete book here.
In using these writing prompts in the classroom, I usually also provide some reading material that will relate to the prompt we will use that day. For example, if we are to write about a favorite relative or friend, I might provide as handouts a short essay, newspaper clipping or book excerpt in which the writer talks about such a person. Students take turns reading this aloud. Then we discuss the content. All this prepares ESOL students to think about the prompt we will be writing about that day.
As my ESOL students write, I play a CD with some quiet, meditative music to help them relax and get in touch with their memories and thoughts. The music helps transform the classroom into a sacred writing space where wonderful writing is done. When the students complete their pieces, they are encouraged to read aloud what they have written. Doing so helps validate the importance of the thoughts they have expressed and that they have something valuable to impart to others.
P.S. If you find these ESOL writing prompts useful, would you kindly share them with your colleagues and professional groups you belong to? Please let me know how these prompts worked out for you and your students; write to billz@makebeliefscomix.com.
WRITE ABOUT A GOOD FRIEND
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LET'S WRITE ABOUT COURAGE
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DESCRIBE THE HOME WHERE YOU LIVED AS A CHILD
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WRITE A LETTER TO A FRIEND WHOM YOU HAVEN'T SEEN FOR A LONG TIME
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WRITE ABOUT YOUR OWN LIFE
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SELECT AN OBJECT TO HELP YOU REMEMBER THE PAST, AND WRITE ABOUT THE MEMORY
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WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS WOULD YOU LIKE TO OWN? OR, WHAT KIND OF JOB WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE?
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TELL ME ABOUT SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU FEEL PROUD
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WRITE A LETTER TO A CHILD YOU LOVE OR HOPE TO LOVE ONE DAY
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WRITE ABOUT AN EARLY MEMORY FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD
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I COME FROM...
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WRITE ABOUT THE MOST IMPORTANT LETTER IN YOUR LIFE
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WRITE ABOUT AN ANGEL IN YOUR LIFE
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