Kodzo Elom Akoto
Blindspot in America, novel by Elom K. Akoto: “This novel is at its best when it gives its characters space to discuss their ideas, hopes, and dreams.” — Kirkus Reviews
The full review is available here: BLINDSPOT IN AMERICA | Kirkus Reviews
Elom K. Akoto immigrated to the United States from Togo (West Africa). He earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in TESOL (Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages). He is the founder of Learn and Care, a nonprofit organization that aims to promote Literacy and Adult Education, not only among immigrants but also native Americans who missed the opportunity to earn a High School Diploma. The program offers ESL, literacy, GED preparation classes, and more. He self-published two ESL workbooks: Ideal Companion, ESL level 1 and Ideal Companion, ESL level 2. Blindspot in America is his first novel. He teaches French in a high school and ESL at a community college in Omaha, Nebraska, where he lives with his family.
Blindspot in America: Publication date: October 1st 2024
” The scenes of Kamao navigating the bureaucracy required to stay in the U.S. and seeking a visa tap into a textured realism.” — Kirkus Reviews
Kamao is the son of a prominent Ghanaian academic and incumbent Minister of Health and is devoted to all that America symbolizes. After immigrating to the United States in pursuit of higher education and the American Dream, he becomes unwittingly entangled with American politics when he meets Lindsey McAdams, the daughter of an influential and anti-immigration senator. As the couple’s feelings grow, so too does the senator’s animosity toward Kamao. Despite support from fellow immigrants Lazo, Ayefumi, and Dania—who follow American Dreams of their own—Kamao soon finds himself drawn into intrigues hidden from the American public that make him question himself and his adopted country. When Kamao is implicated in a murder, Lindsey’s loyalties are tested, Dania must decide if she is willing to risk her own future and security for the sake of justice, and Kamao discovers how far he’ll go to fulfill his American Dream.
Ideal Companion, ESL level 1
To the Instructor
Dictations allow students to develop listening and writing skills. During this activity, you will ask students to write down a passage or part of a passage from the book that you will read to them. For a better result, and to allow students enough time to process the words and their meaning, you should repeat every sentence or every meaningful phrase three to four times. At the end of this activity, have students check their work by allowing them to view the original text and correct their mistakes. Afterward, have students take turns reading one or two paragraphs, then you can have a whole group discussion on the topic of the text. In this single activity, you have allowed students to practice all four language acquisition skills: listening and writing first, followed by reading and speaking. During this activity, students can answer the questions that follow every passage for comprehension practice.
Ideal Companion ESL, level 2
The purpose of this book is to help adult learners gain effective knowledge of English through meaningful and contextual activities that relate to real life situations. This book focuses on helping learners reach a high-functioning level in English by mastering all four language acquisition skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. In addition to the grammar and vocabulary lessons that allow students to learn new words, knowing the correct spelling of words they already use, and how sentences are formed, students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and gain advanced English skills through dictations.