JOURNAL ARTICLE

An online book club for ESOL learners.

  • Published In: ELT Journal: English Language Teaching Journal, 2023, v. 77, n. 1. P. 111 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Norman, Felix 3 of 3

Abstract

This article focuses on the implementation and outcomes of an online book club for ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) learners at an adult education college in London during spring 2021. Over four weeks, intermediate to upper-intermediate learners read and discussed a graded reader adaptation of the story "Suffragette," which facilitated vocabulary building, reading and speaking skill development, and social interaction amid COVID-19 restrictions. The online format, using Microsoft Teams, provided a communicative space that overcame physical classroom limitations and encouraged engagement with themes of gender equality and political participation relevant to the learners’ experiences. Feedback indicated that the book club enhanced language skills, fostered community, and supported learners in exploring cultural and civic identity, suggesting that such virtual book clubs can be a valuable addition to ESOL teaching contexts with online components.

Additional Information

  • Source:ELT Journal: English Language Teaching Journal. 2023/01, Vol. 77, Issue 1, p111
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:0951-0893
  • DOI:10.1093/elt/ccab080
  • Accession Number:161698696
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of ELT Journal: English Language Teaching Journal is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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