According to the U.S. Census Bureau, English Language Learners are fast becoming the largest “minority” group and by the 2030s are projected to represent at least forty percent of the K-12 population.  As our classrooms become more ethnically and linguistically diverse, steps have to taken to ensure that administrators and teachers become equipped to meet the needs of all English Language Learners. Educators throughout the United States have also begun to focus attention and research on the millions of students whose first language is English in grades k-12 but who are unable to read, write and speak Academic English well enough to achieve academic as well as social success.  For any student to be successful in elementary and secondary school, college, and the workplace, they must move beyond basic levels of literacy.  Advanced language and literacy skills have to be developed within all content areas for students to acquire proficiency in all academic areas taught in school. Language theorists continue to research and conclude that Language is the primary vehicle for intellectual development and that there is a strong link between language learning and knowledge. Unfortunately in schools where learning is the primary concern, the development and use of language is often limited.

The trainings offered below provide educators the why and how to develop academic language for both English Learners and Native English speakers in order to ensure that they are successful both academically and socially. Teachers are provided with the tools and techniques necessary to plan and deliver instruction that facilitates both content and language development in their classrooms.

                                        District Trainings

Planning Effective Content and Language Objectives: Teachers will learn how to plan learning objectives aligned to state Content and ELP (English Language Proficiency)  standards that will increase the expectation and opportunities for learners to develop both academic content and language in a meaningful way. This training focuses on research-based strategies that help teachers plan for and deliver instruction that improves student’s abilities to read, write, listen and speak using Academic English. Participants will receive a “Guide to Writing Measureable and Observable Content and Language Objectives” that includes the templates and resources they need to do so effectively.

Principals Supporting Teachers with Academic Content and Language Instruction: Administrators will learn how to effectively support teachers in planning and delivering lessons that are focused on explicit content and language development. Research says that “Direct involvement in instruction is among the least frequent activities performed by administrators of any kind at any level” This is not a matter of work ethic; it is a matter of misplaced priorities (Richard Elmore 2000). This training was developed considering the many responsibilities administrators face daily as well as the need to provide teachers support in the area of instruction so that they are successful. Administrators will develop the understanding and skills necessary to identify, monitor and provide feedback on appropriate learning objectives.

Steps to Building an Interactive Classroom: Educators will learn how to plan and facilitate a classroom where learners can engage in structured interactions to develop and practice Academic English. Knowing that “Talk” helps learning activities that require understanding, especially the understanding of processes teachers must plan opportunities for students to do so. Teachers will learn a step by step process including; organizing a classroom so that all children can and will be involved in the learning process, how to plan focused learning objectives, strategies for developing academic vocabulary, structures that students can use to practice and apply content and language in meaningful ways and quick informal and formal ways to assess students acquisition of content and language.

* Please note all trainings can be tailored to specific needs of the district and others are available on the website