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Description: The texts are bilingual and multicultural in this digital library. Furthermore, this is cost-free for teachers and students during school hours (8am–3pm local time).

Strategy: Assign books aligned with particular themes in the curriculum to promote independent reading.

Link: https://www.getepic.com/educators

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Description: All articles have leveled informational texts with language scaffolds for ELLs. There is a free version that gives access to selected texts and allows some differentiation by reading level.

Strategy: Best used for guided reading and academic vocabulary building across content areas.

Link: https://newsela.com

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Description: An interactive flashcard-based app to support multilingual vocabulary development.

Strategy: For beginning ELLs to practice common words with audio/visual support.

Link: https://lingolite.com

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Description: Video conferencing tool with various features for instruction, student check-ins, and family engagement.

Strategy: Host virtual multilingual meetings, collaborative projects, or one-on-one meetings.

Link: https://meet.google.com

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Description: A "learning experience platform" for student-driven portfolio and communication tool.

Strategy: Use for journaling, goal tracking, and sharing work samples with families.

Link: https://web.seesaw.me

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Description: A free platform offering leveled texts, translation tools, and guided reading support.

Strategy: Use for close readings with ELL scaffolds and track comprehension through built-in quizzes.

Link: https://www.commonlit.org

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Description: A social justice educational platform offering free lesson plans and professional learning.

Strategy: Incorporate identity and equity-focused materials into instruction.

Link: https://www.learningforjustice.org

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Description: Supports "global competence" through project-based learning.

Strategy: Easily integrate project-based learning with language learning, civic engagement, and real-world problem-solving skills.

Link: https://www.worldsavvy.org

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Description: A Creative writing platform with image-based prompts.

Strategy: Engage students in writing personal stories; allow them to combine visuals and creative writing.

Link: https://storybird.com

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Description: A platform to collaborate on a digital bulletin board for group projects; great for posting text, images, videos, and audio.

Strategy: Create exit ticket boards, word walls, or cultural identity maps.

Link: https://padlet.com

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Language Acquisition Theories & Philosophy Writing #1

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Language Acquisition Theories & Philosophy Writing #1

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Description: Learning a language is most effective when receiving comprehensible input slightly above the learner's current level.

How this helps Teachers: Emphasize the following: scaffolding, low-anxiety environments, and authentic communication.

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Language Acquisition Theories & Philosophy Writing #2

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Language Acquisition Theories & Philosophy Writing #2

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Description: Language learners benefit from producing language. Especially when there are gaps and there is opportunity to practice using forms.

How this helps Teachers: Emphasize the following: student talk time, collaborative tasks, and reflective writing.

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Language Acquisition Theories & Philosophy #3

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Language Acquisition Theories & Philosophy #3

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Description: BICS is the foundation of language acquisition, in which you can talk and understand native speakers. CALP is about understanding complex concepts and expressing oneself in a certain way. BICS is generally acquired sooner than CALP.

How this helps Teachers: Recognize that fluency is not the same as proficiency; always plan targeted instruction for academic vocabulary and any discourse.

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Language Acquisition Theories & Philosophy Writing #4

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Language Acquisition Theories & Philosophy Writing #4

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Description: Language requires cognitive development, and that is split into factors: social interaction and collaborative learning. Communication, along with thinking and learning, is the purpose of language.

How it helps Teachers: Prioritize academic discourse and reflective talk in lessons.

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Steps to Write a Personal Teaching Philosophy

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Steps to Write a Personal Teaching Philosophy

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Steps to Write a Personal Teaching Philosophy

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Before you write, ask yourself these following questions:

Step 1: What are your beliefs about language learning and student diversity?

Step 2: How can you connect your teaching approach to language acquisition theories (e.g., Krashen, Cummins, etc.)?

Step 3: Can you identify any specific practices to support multilingual learners?

Note: This should be precise and based on research and your personal experience.

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Spend some time each week to write about what went well, any specific challenges, and student response/reaction to instruction.

Ask yourself these following questions:

What engaged my students today?

Did my strategies meet the needs of my ELLs?

Is there anything different I can try next time?

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Engage in Peer Observations and Feedback Collection 

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Invite your colleague to observe your lessons and observe other classrooms as well; this helps with gaining insight. Ask for feedback on your instructional approach; pay attention to cultural responsiveness is important.

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Participate in a Professional Learning Community (PLC)

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Join or host PLCs focused on ELL instruction or culturally responsive teaching. Great for sharing reflections and challenges; you can also collaborate regularly throughout the year.

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This is the link to the "Cultural Resource" Professional Development

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Link to Cultural Resource for Educators PD Flyer

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Link to Cultural Resource for Educators PD Flyer

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Use this  “Cultural Resource for Educators” flyer to learn about cultural identity on learning. There are tools supporting teachers and their diverse learners; along with advocating for our ELLs.

Link: https://tinyurl.com/2ttcab8b

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🛠️ Assessment Accommodations from Topic 5

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🛠️ Assessment Accommodations from Topic 5

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For Beginner/Early Intermediate ELL Students (Student #1):

Simplified oral and written directions

Visual supports (e.g., labeled pictures for budgeting categories)

Word banks with translations

Use of sentence starters and guided notes

Extra time for completion

Small group testing in a quiet setting

Limiting multiple-choice questions to two options

Read-aloud support for directions and questions

For Intermediate/Advanced ELL Students (Student #2):

Pre-teaching of academic vocabulary

Sentence starters for written responses

Optional vocabulary bank with translations

Graphic organizers to support planning

Extra time for completion

Small group setting

Repeated or clarified directions as needed

Visual aids (e.g., labeled budget forms)

Rationale:

This prevented any language barriers for students from demonstrating their understanding. These accommodations succeed in the following ways: adding visuals helps clarify abstract concepts; it helps those with limited English vocabulary. Word banks and sentence starters support academic language development. Pre-taught vocabulary prevents confusion and promotes "content-specific" language use. Small groups and quiet settings minimize distractions; allowing students to ask questions without pressure. Guided notes and graphic organizers give students structure; allowing them to organize thoughts and respond accurately. They all create a more equitable testing environment because they are assessed on content knowledge, not their current level of English proficiency.

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Description: Edutopia offers the following: articles, videos, and classroom examples. Whatever you use in your classroom from this site, these best practices support ELLs.

Opportunities: Options to subscribe to newsletters, case studies, and participate in educator discussion forums.

Link: https://www.edutopia.org/english-language-learners

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Description: WIDA offers free and paid online PD for educators in WIDA Consortium member states (like California) focused on academic language and multilingual learners.

Opportunities: Courses on formative assessment, differentiation, and family engagement—available for individual completion at your own pace.

Link: https://www.wida.us/professional-development

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Description: Statewide organization that provides the following: conferences, webinars, workshops, and advocacy for educators of English learners.

Opportunities: Participate in annual CATESOL conference, regional chapters, or participate in special interest groups (e.g., K–12, bilingual education, etc.).

Link: https://www.catesol.org