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esl tefl efl tesl tesol elt eld esol foreign language english education teaching english teach esl learn esl teach efl learn efl teaching english teachers esl tutor esl teacheresl tutoring

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The Internet TESL Journal's collection of acronyms related to TESL.

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Over Identification and Under Identification of ELLs in SpEd

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Over Identification and Under Identification of ELLs in SpEd

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These are both tricky, and it more often than not requires a great deal of time and effort to tease out what is language issues because of being an ELL and what is related to a need for special education.

Needing ESL services is not the same as needing SpEd services, although some strategies often work with both. For one thing, SpEd is covered under law and has specific procedures to be followed to obtain services and ways that services are to be provided. An Individualized Education Plan must be implemented with fidelity. ESL services do not require these same protections and plans. Although I would not want ESL to become a part of SpEd in every situation, I would like to see some of the successful laws and plans that cover SpEd adapted to address ESL services.

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There is a teacher shortage across the nation for a variety of reason.   This shortage is keenly felt in the areas of ELL education and Special Education.   While the alternate pathways to certification and to obtaining a job teaching may address this shortage in some ways by allowing degreed individuals to teach while they pursue teacher certification, it does little to address the need for teachers especially qualified in the areas of ESL and SpEd.
In campaigning for the teacher pay raise last year, Dr. Brumley cited that 89% of teachers in SpEd in JPPSS are either on an out of field authority to teach or not certified in SpEd.  In my school, which has the second largest ELL population in the district, only 3 teachers hold their certification in ESL and they are all administration.  A fourth finished her coursework here at UHC but is awaiting certification transfer from Out of State.   I will be able to apply for my certification after this course, but since I am SpEd, that does little good to the school population at large.  Another issue to be addressed is the way teachers are reimbursed for ESL coursework.  Because I am not a designated ESL teacher, even though I have ELLs on my caseload from time to time,  reimbursement was not available for my coursework in ESL.  The two teachers designated as the ESL instructors are not certified in ESL.

Another issue  is the lack of cohesiveness between states on certification.  A teacher newly arrived from Texas is not elibible to transfer his SpEd add on to Louisiana because he only took the Praxis for SpEd per Texas requirements and not the 18 hours of coursework per Louisiana requirements.  The teacher to complete the coursework for the ESL add on in Louisiana holds a Level 1 Elementary Education certificate from Alabama, but had to take the Praxis exams in Louisiana to qualify here. Just as the states devised some common core standards for students that are common to all states, it would be ideal if the states could agree on some common certification standards for teachers that make certificates more aligned state by state.

The numbers of ELL students in classrooms are growing.  It makes sense to add some sort of ESL training to all teaching certificates.   I remember in the late 1970s as Special Education was being born that the first step was to add training on teaching exceptional children to state certification requirements.  Such a move would be valuable for ELL instruction.

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Greater chance of non English speaking families to get lost in the jargon when child is ELL and SpEd

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Greater chance of non English speaking families to get lost in the jargon when child is ELL and SpEd

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ASCD resources for  ELL teachers

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English Language Learners (ELLs) is the fastest-growing student population in the United States. By 2025 an estimated 25% of public school students will be emergent multilingual learners, according to the NEA.

Unfortunately, many educators aren't trained to work effectively with these students. Bright children are doing their best to learn but are slipping through the cracks because English is not their first language.

ASCD is here to help. We've gathered some great resources from our archives and recent releases to help prepare you to break down barriers that are preventing these students from reaching their full potential.

Share with your colleagues:
Jump to: Articles | Infographics & EL Takeaways | Webinars | Book Chapters & Quick Reference Guides | Videos | Online Courses
Articles

Every issue of Educational Leadership® magazine offers a selection of open articles. ASCD members can access all recent magazine issues and articles by logging in. Education Update is our monthly newsletter. ASCD Express is a twice-monthly free e-newsletter.
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Infographics& EL Takeaways
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Get More Resources Like These

Did you know that ASCD members get access to thousands more resources like these on a variety of different topics in our Members-Only Digital Archives, in addition to receiving new tips and recommendations throughout the year?

Please take a moment to check out our membership options. We would love to have you as a member of our organization. Join by November 15 to receive free resources and up to 20% discounts on these upcoming books available to our members later this year, including

What you can do to maximize the learning opportunities for your ELL students (Educational Leadership magazine)

Classroom- and school-based strategies for supporting ELLs (January 2020 ASCD Express digital newsletter)

Dispelling Misconceptions about English Language Learners: Research-Based Ways to Improve Instruction by Barbara Gottschalk (Available October 23. Pre-order today)

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Reaching Out to Latino Families of English Language Learners by David Campos, Rocio Delgado, and Mary Esther Huerta.
Introduction: Why Reaching Out Matters | Chapter 1: A Critical Reflection: Exploring Self and Culture | ASCD Study Guide | Book information

Success with Multicultural Newcomers & English Learners: Proven Practices for School Leadership Teams by Margarita Calderón and Shawn Slakk.
Chapter 1: Identifying and Getting to Know the Newcomers and Other English Language Learners in Your School | ASCD Study Guide | Book information

Using Understanding by Design in the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Classroom by Amy Heineke and Jay McTighe.
Introduction | Chapter 3: Starting with Students: Preplanning for Language Development | Chapter 4: Setting Goals for Learning: Stage 1 for Language Development | ASCD Study Guide | Book information

Quick Reference Guide

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Videos

The Teachers' Lounge on ASCD Streaming Video showcases free video content, previews of upcoming video programs, and excerpts from recent titles.

Educating English Language Learners: Connecting Language, Literacy, and Culture: Establishing a New Vision (38:31)
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Online Courses

In addition to the free resources featured above, ASCD offers additional resources at a discount to members, including our award-winning PD Online courses. Our reimagined PD Online courses connect course materials to real-world practice and are mobile friendly so you can do your professional development when and where you want to.
Join ASCD today and save up to 20% on courses like this to support ELLs in your classroom. English Language Learners in the Mainstream

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This course aims to prepare teachers to work more effectively with English language learners in mainstream classes. Among other goals, you will learn how demographic changes affect schools, the importance of culture when teaching ELL students, and supportive strategies that can be implemented in any classroom.

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Free Resources to Support English Language Learners

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English Language Learners (ELLs) is the fastest-growing student population in the United States. By 2025 an estimated 25% of public school students will be emergent multilingual learners, according to the NEA. Unfortunately, many educators aren't trained to work effectively with these students.

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Some Simple Strategies (please add your own!)

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Some Simple Strategies (please add your own!)

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Class microphones or digital recorders to practice speaking.

Communication notebooks.

Visual supports.

I keep the contact information for Families Helping Families and other services for families in a binder. This was a bonus we put together with Ms. Dore in EDG 624. I know that as a teacher my hands are tied on many issues. Sometimes families need advocates to help them navigate the system.

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For this exit ticket, please take a moment and share at least one strategy you have used with success in one of the following areas (and tell us briefly what made it successful):

A) Having an ELL child in need of SpEd services identified and services put in place.

B.  Having a SpEd child also in need of ELL services identified and/or served.

C. A strategy for teaching a child who is both ELL and SpEd.

D. Helping non English speaking families navigate the education systems.

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ASCD. (2019). How to support ELLs in the classroom. Retrieved October 12, 2019, from http://www.ascd.org/membership/ELL-support-resources.aspx

A Good IDEA for Louisiana. (2009). Retrieved October 12, 2019, from https://www.louisianabelieves.com/docs/default-source/academics/a-good-idea-for-louisiana.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Internet TESL Journal. (2004). Acronyms Related to TESL. Retrieved October 12, 2019, from http://iteslj.org/acronyms.html

Langevin, J. R. (2019, February 13). Text - H.R.1153 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Reaching English Learners Act. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1153/text

Parents. (2014). Retrieved October 12, 2019, from https://fhfofgno.org/

Parent Guide to ELPT [Pdf]. (2019). Baton Rouge: Louisiana Department of Education.

Shreve, J. (2005, October 24). Educators Are Poorly Prepared for ELL Instruction. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/no-train-no-gain

Texas Project First. (2017). Special Education Acronyms. Retrieved October 12, 2019, from https://www.esc20.net/upload/page/1054/docs/Acronyms.pdf

Walker T. (2019, April 12). Teacher shortage is 'real and growing, and worse than we thought'. Retrieved October 12, 2019, from http://neatoday.org/2019/04/03/how-bad-is-the-teacher-shortage/

White, A. (2018, March 01). ESL students with special needs fail to get language instruction, study finds. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-03-esl-students-special-language.html

Zacarian D. (2016, October 20). The over- AND under-identification of ells in special education. Retrieved October 12, 2019, from https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/over-and-under-identification-ells-special-education

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Family's lack of knowledge of current laws, rights,  and services is increased

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Family's lack of knowledge of current laws, rights,  and services is increased

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This can often be a more pressing issue for non English speaking families than for families from the U.S.  Having a child in need of special education problems presents an array of challenges in understanding one's rights, responsibilities, and the current laws. Many families reach out to advocates for assistance in navigating the system. Now imagine if you are new to the country and do not speak the language at all or well. You might not even know of advocacy services to contact to assist you in navigating the system. Cultural differences may lead you to believe the school officials are authorities not to be challenged ever. You might not be aware of your child falling through any cracks to be able to address them.

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Raising a child with a disability or living with a disability can be overwhelming for many. Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans is here to help you not be so overwhelmed. Our trained, experienced staff are parents or family members of individuals with disabilities or individuals with disabilities themselves. They have walked in your shoes and dedicated to helping you navigate the service delivery systems we all often depend on in order to get the services and supports our loved ones need.

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Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans

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Raising a child with a disability or living with a disability can be overwhelming for many. Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans is here to help you not be so overwhelmed. Our trained, experienced staff are parents or family members of individuals with disabilities or individuals with disabilities themselves.

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Animal Crackers in My Soup by Anne Murray