Note: These activities will focus on teaching the names of the letters. It is assumed that the students already knows the upper and lower case forms of the letters and the alphabetical order of the letters and that they already read and write in their native language. For suggestions of how to teach non-literates or persons unfamiliar with the Roman alphabet, See Section IV of this manual. It is intended that only a few minutes of any class will be dedicated to teaching the alphabet. It is preferable to spend several small blocks of time doing it rather than one large block of time.

Activity 1

Write the vowels on the board one at a time, pronouncing each one and allowing each student to write it in his notebook. Encourage students to write a representation beside each letter in their own language, which will help them to remember how to pronounce the letter.

Activity 2

Write the letters of the alphabet in order on the chalkboard, pronouncing each as you write it.

Activity 3

Have students go to the chalkboard. Dictate letters at random and have them write the letters on the board.

Activity 4

Point at random to the letters of the alphabet on an alphabet chart and have students name the letters.