Accelerate Beginner English Learner’s Writing Skills From Day One

This article addresses the customary practice of delaying teaching of writing for Beginner English Learners (BELs) which often results in slowing writing development. Barriers preventing teachers from earlier writing instruction include a belief BELs cannot produce written English before learned orally first, a lack of teaching writing know-how, and few level-appropriate materials for older BELs. The systematic approach ALL Beginner Learners of English (ABLE) Writing Method is a solution to build both teachers’ confidence and BELs’ phonics, spelling, and writing skills from day one. The basic premise of the ABLE Writing Method is that if one is able to think, one is able to write with effective instruction and practice. The four phases of an assets-based ABLE Writing Method cycle incorporate the principles of the Language Experience Approach, Translanguaging, Scarborough’s Reading Rope, and Sedita’s Writing Rope so teachers can start teaching writing skills from day one.