ACTION 4.1
Integrate Literacy and Language Instruction Strategies
We used to think...
Professional Learning (PL) for teachers of Multilingual Learners (MLs) should prioritize language acquisition strategies.
Now we know...
Professional learning should encompass all aspects of literacy instruction (word recognition, language comprehension, active self-regulation, bridging processes, etc.) in ways that are connected to language development and meaning/content, while building upon background knowledge.
Best Practice Strategies
To cultivate a supportive multi-language learning environment:
Teachers
Pursue literacy & language development training that includes:
How the development of literacy and language intersect
The development of literacy for the multilingual brain, including the connection with students' multiple languages and the importance of literacy and language instruction embedded in content rather than in isolation
Understanding the similarities and differences between the different languages and the process for learning to read and write in each language
Resources
What Does Research Tell Us About Teaching Reading to English Language Learners?
Reading Rockets/WETA Public Broadcasting
In this article, a seasoned ELL teacher synthesizes her own classroom experience and the findings of the National Literacy Panel on Language-Minority Children and Youth to make recommendations for effective literacy instruction of ELL students.
SEAL Video Flyer
Sobrato Early Academic Language
This resource links videos that focus on different aspects of language instruction and the integration of literacy, language, and content, including high-quality instructional practices.
K-12 Science of Reading - PD
Claudia Conroy, Design Group
This resource provides teachers with an understanding of the pedagogical shift for reading instruction required for MLs, as discovered by the National Reseach Panel.