What's New:
New Teaching Tool for English Language Learners

The latest edition of Merit Software offers voice and speech capabilities and increased support for ELL Students. This new innovation shortens the time required to grasp key English concepts.

To find out more, go to: http://www.meritsoftware.com/news/display.php?pid=24

Customer Feedback – Basic English Fitness

"Basic English Fitness is right on target for our ESL students,” remarks an educator at the Pascagoula School District in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The software helps English language learners improve their understanding of both common and trickier parts of English usage. Students build effective vocabulary recognition and grammar skills, and learn to differentiate between frequently confused words.

For a complete software description or to try the downloadable evaluation version, go to: http://www.meritsoftware.com/software/basic_english_fitness

Recommended Resource – Blogger.com

Blogger.com, an online resource from Google, is gaining popularity among English language learners. This straightforward site guides users through the steps of creating an individual or group blog. Students and teachers can choose templates, post photos, publish text, and add links to web sites.

Learn more at: http://www.blogger.com

Proposals Wanted – National Reading Conference

The National Reading Conference (NCR) is seeking proposals for its December 2006 program in Los Angeles, CA. NCR invites educators writing on critical issues in literacy, as well as on literacy acquisition and instruction, to apply. This year, program topics include “Literacy Learning and Practice in Multilingual and Multicultural Settings.”

Presenters will be encouraged to submit their work for publication in the NCR Yearbook or The Journal of Literacy Instruction. Proposals are due March 1.

Visit: http://www.nrconline.org