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WIDA provides essential resources for ESL educators, including a framework for language development, professional development opportunities, and assessments designed to support English learners. While WIDA is no longer the testing used for ESL students in Tennessee, it still provides a wide range of resources for new and experienced educators.

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In this edition of Conversations with Tim, Tim speaks with Rosalie Lincoln and Cathy Moses about their work in the Lower Kuskokwim School District in Alaska to preserve and revitalize the Yugtun language.

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WIDA develops and provides proven tools and support to help multilingual learners, and their educators, succeed.

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SupportEd, LLC published their webinar titled "Supporting ELs' Oral Language Development Through Academic Conversations". This video explains, in an interactive manner, the significance of academic conversations for English learners, showing how developing students' ability to engage in academic dialogue improves their language proficiency and academic outcomes over time.

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Supporting ELs' Oral Language Development Through Academic Conversations Webinar

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(Probably one of my favorite resources that I found...) Colorín Colorado is a comprehensive website designed for educators and families working with English learners. It provides practical resources on classroom strategies, family involvement, and educational policies related to ELs. The website includes a "featured book list", best practices, strategies for new teachers, and tools for teaching literacy, spelling, and vocabulary.

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A bilingual site for educators and families of English language learners

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TESOL is a leading organization for ESL professionals, but it is also extremely helpful for general education teachers as well. The website offers access to professional development resources, certifications, and research related to teaching English to speakers of other languages. The organization hosts annual conferences and offers publications on current trends in ESL education and policy.

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The Language Lizard blog provides resources and insights for educators, families, and communities supporting language learners, particularly those in bilingual and multicultural settings. It covers topics such as dual language learning, multicultural education, and strategies for teaching English Language Learners (ELLs). The blog also highlights bilingual books, lesson plans, grants, and funding opportunities. Regular posts feature book reviews, cultural spotlights, and discussions on educational practices that support language development and inclusion for diverse students. Additionally, it offers helpful resources for schools, libraries, and teachers.

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English Language Learners / Dual Language Learners / Multicultural Education Support - Language Lizard Blog | Supporting Dual Language Learners Bringing Multiculturalism to the Classroom!

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Supporting Dual Language Learners Bringing Multiculturalism to the Classroom!

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The Dual Language Hero blog, created by Rebeca, is dedicated to supporting bilingual, upper elementary teachers. It provides practical resources, teaching strategies, and tools to help educators effectively manage dual language classrooms. The blog focuses on promoting biliteracy and bilingualism through actionable advice, lesson ideas, and tips for reducing teacher burnout. The blog offers free resources, such as guides and lesson plans, although some content requires purchase.

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The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) website serves as a resource for language educators, administrators, and organizations. It offers tools and resources to support language teaching, including proficiency assessments, research, professional development, and curriculum guidance. The site also features membership options, educational materials, and information about ACTFL's annual conference. ACTFL also provides certification, scholarships, and career development resources for educators.

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Enhancing and expanding multilingual and multicultural education worldwide

ACTFL is an individual membership organization of thousands of language educators and administrators from elementary through graduate education, as well as government and industry.

Respect and Recognition

Powering the future of language education

ACTFL's resources, backed by sound research and decades of experience ensure you have the tools to deliver successful instruction.

Assessments

Learn why ACTFL assessments are considered the gold standard for assessing performance and proficiency by institutions, companies, and governments.

Educator Resources

Explore ACTFL's Proficiency Guidelines, Can-Do Statements, and more to help guide your strategy and practice.

Access ACTFL Publications

Read The Language Educator (TLE), Foreign Language Annals (FLA), and ACTFL books to get timely information on WL education trends and technology.

Professional Development

ACTFL offers a variety of methods to advance professional development to help you, your school or district succeed.

Certifications

ACTFL offers a variety of training and certification programs designed to meet the needs of world language educators, researchers, and administrators.

Career Development

Mentoring, volunteering, and many other programs to support your career journey. From new teachers to seasoned professionals, we're here for you.

Language education provides tangible benefits. The research proves it.

Did you know that language learning boosts academic achievement, provides cognitive benefits and promotes positive attitudes and beliefs about other languages and cultures? See what the research says.

ACTFLearn Central

On-demand Courses

Your gateway to online on-demand professional development courses

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world language teaching; language assessment; foreign language teaching

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Enhancing and expanding multilingual and multicultural education worldwide

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This blog is a treasure trove of resources for ESL educators. It offers practical lesson plans, teaching strategies, and classroom activities. Topics cover everything from basic ESL instruction to strategies for supporting English learners with special needs. The categories are separated so that teacher's can easily find a topic in which they need resources or support.

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Find links to resources for grammar, reading, listening, vocabulary, and more.

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The National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA) provides up-to-date information on English learner education, focusing on policies, effective teaching strategies, and resources for supporting ELs in K-12 schools. The site includes research reports, toolkits, and educational resources. This is a more formal website with data backed research articles.

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What's Happening

Announcements on this page are generally from the Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA), or other relevant government agencies and offices, about concerns facing multilingual learner education.

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Home | NCELA - English Language Acquisition & Language Instruction Educational Programs

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Announcements on this page are generally from the Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA), or other relevant government agencies and offices, about concerns facing multilingual learner education.

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While ESL strategies and language acquisition is crucial to success in our school system, tolerance and justice for all learners is equally as important. This relates to a culturally responsive classroom and inclusive environment for all learners-- especially those who may be new to our language. The site offers free resources to educators that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion. They provide lessons and classroom strategies specifically designed to support English learners and address social justice issues in education.

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Skip to main content

From film kits and lesson plans to the building blocks of a customized Learning Plan-texts, student tasks and teaching strategies-our resources will help you bring relevance, rigor and social emotional learning into your classroom-all for FREE.

Not sure where to begin? Get to know our Social Justice Standards, anchor standards and age-appropriate learning outcomes divided into four domains-Identity, Diversity, Justice and Action. The Standards provide a common language and a road map for anti-bias education at every grade level.

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From film kits and lesson plans to the building blocks of a customized Learning Plan-texts, student tasks and teaching strategies-our resources will help you bring relevance, rigor and social emotional learning into your classroom-all for FREE.

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The U.S. Department of Education, Office of English Language Acquisition provides information on federal policies, funding opportunities, and research on English learners. The site includes resources on bilingual education programs, English learner standards, and best practices for supporting ELs across different education levels.

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Edutopia provides hundreds of videos for educators on a wide array of topics. However, this video discusses strategies for integrating and valuing native languages in newcomer classrooms, focusing on supporting language development and inclusion for students from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Similar to readings in Weeks 11-13 of our class, the video emphasizes allowing students to speak their native language to support their holistic language development.

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Making Space for Native Languages in Newcomer Classrooms

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Bilingual Education: Bridging Wounded Silence

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Bilingual Education: Bridging Wounded Silence

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While not necessarily a list of resources or tools, this TEDX talk is motivational for educators teaching bilingual students. "Bilingual Education: Bridging Wounded Silence," Emmy Alvarez discusses the transformative power of bilingual education in healing cultural and linguistic silences within communities. She emphasizes how embracing bilingualism not only preserves cultural identities but also fosters deeper connections among individuals from diverse backgrounds. Alvarez shares personal narratives and experiences to illustrate the profound impact of bilingual education on personal growth and community cohesion. By highlighting the challenges faced by multilingual individuals, she advocates for educational systems that honor and integrate multiple languages, thereby bridging gaps and promoting inclusivity.

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Bilingual Education Bridging Wounded Silence | Emmy Alvarez | TEDxYouth@CherryCreek

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Vocaroo is a tool that teachers can use to support ESL students in their pronunciation, fluency, and speaking aspects of language acquisition. It is a simple online voice recording tool that allows students to record and share audio messages. The site is very easy-to-use ifor recording and sharing audio and does not require account creation. Students can instantly share links to their recording with the teacher. Vocaroo allows ELL students to practice speaking without the pressure of being in front of a class, and teachers can assess their pronunciation and fluency more effectively.

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Vocaroo is a quick and easy way to share voice messages over the interwebs.

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Weeks 11 through 13 of our class focused on the importance of writing for ELL students and the flexibility of teachers in understanding and support bilingual writers. Storybird is an online platform that allows students to create their own digital stories using a wide range of illustrations. It’s a fun way for ELL students to practice writing and storytelling in English. Students can create stories with beautiful artwork.

For younger students, the website offers templates for different story formats (e.g., picture books, poetry). Storybird helps students develop their writing and vocabulary skills in a creative way.

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Storybird - Read, write, discover, and share the books you'll always remember.

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Become a better writer with Storybird's creativity tools. Online courses, challenges, and reader feedback will help you improve your writing.