This is the curriculum of the Queens Library Adult Learner Program. It is used as a standalone class at the library, but designed so that you can pick individual lessons appropriate to your class, or follow the full curriculum.

Notes about the curriculum.

The objectives of this curriculum are to increase English Language Learners’ English, and to improve their knowledge of health. You may notice that there are some differences in approach from a typical ESOL curriculum. There is minimal emphasis on grammatical functions, except as they relate to the health topic. Additionally, in order to properly address the health aspects of the curriculum, certain vocabulary is needed that normally would not be introduced at the beginning level. To facilitate this, there are times when the plan will suggest that you allow learners to work with native language dictionaries, or work with other students who speak the same language.

Tips for working with materials.

• Encourage learners to bring a three ring binder to keep all their handouts, as you may want to have them refer to information from previous lessons’ materials.
• Try to recycle vocabulary — and concepts — frequently. Some of this recycling is built into the curriculum, but you may discover that your learners need more reviewing than is built into the lesson plans.
• If your class is low-intermediate, you may wish to also include some of the units from the beginner level.
• Some of the lesson plans also include background information on a health topic. These plans are marked with

Below is the list of lesson plans, accompanying student worksheets and audio files. You can download the audio files, or play them directly from your computer. Some lessons also have online activities for students. They are listed here as a reference for teachers; students can access them directly from the Student Activities page as well.

Items accompanied by this symbol require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Topics	Lesson Plan	Student Worksheets	Listening
Body Systems and Structures			Do you ever think about your body’s hard work? WMA MP3
Describing Ailments and Symptoms			You don’t look so good... WMA MP3 I see on the chart you made that you have a dull pain... WMA MP3 What brings you here? WMA MP3
3. Interacting with the Healthcare Provider (Part 1)			Hello, City Health Center... WMA MP3
4. Interacting with the Healthcare Provider (Part 2)			All right, we’re all set, you can get dressed... WMA MP3 So my main problem is I have asthma... WMA MP3
5. Health Histories and Medical Screenings (Part 1)			Rita, I’d like to get a little information about your family... WMA MP3
6. Health Histories and Medical Screenings (Part 2)
7. Introduction to Preventive Health			Margarita is 32 years old... WMA MP3 Carlos is 49... WMA MP3 Jamal is 28... WMA MP3
8. – 9. Class Projects: Chronic Diseases
10. Class Projects: Presentations
11. A Healthy Diet and the Food Pyramid			Hi, Lisa. How have you been? WMA   MP3
12. Obesity in America
13. Fitness and Exercise			Have you ever seen someone walking briskly? WMA MP3 What do you think stretch exercises do? Do you want to increase your flexibility... WMA MP3 Let’s begin in a standing position... WMA MP3
14. Paying for Healthcare
15. Health Insurance			Welcome to the Coast Company... WMA MP3 You can choose either GBC or Well Plan... WMA MP3 Hey, Charlie, how are you doing? WMA MP3
16. Patient Rights and Responsibilities (Part 1): Privacy Rights / Medical Consent Forms
17. Patient Rights and Responsibilities (Part 2): Hospital Patients' Bill of Rights
18. Using the Internet to Find Health Information
19. Using the Internet for Nutrition and Menu Planning
20. Searching for Health Information on the Internet (Computer-based Session)
Appendices
Dialogue Sheets
Workbook Contents

Adult Learner Program Manager: Susan Dalmas, sdalmas@queenslibrary.org

Health Literacy Curriculum Developer: Judy Trupin, jtrupin@queenslibrary.org
Production Design: David Ford
Illustrations: Maryam Shabaaz
Pilot Teachers: Geremias De La Cruz, Stephanie Chellapen, MaryAnn Gottlieb, Sandra McElvey, Beatrice Osterer, Jennifer Wieland

Background information for teachers developed with the assistance of Kate Goheen, Health Literacy Fellow 2007, and Leslie Short, Health Literacy Intern 2006, New York City Mayor’s Office of Adult Education.

Special thanks to all of the Queens Library Adult Learner Program staff who lent their voices and images for our audio recordings and visuals.

Funding for the Queens Library Adult Learner Program health literacy webpages provided by the Jacob and Valeria Langeloth Foundation.