Laying the Foundation: Debunking Myths About English Learners
Overview
This professional development (PD) session focuses on debunking common myths about English learners (ELs) while providing educators with a foundational understanding of the unique social, cultural, and linguistic challenges EL students face. Led by Marcelo Sousa, an experienced ESOL Specialist and former EL student, this session incorporates personal anecdotes, research-based strategies, and interactive discussions to prepare educators to support ELs with compassion and effectiveness.
Session Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will:
- Identify and challenge misconceptions about English learners.
- Gain a deeper understanding of the cultural, linguistic, and emotional challenges ELs face.
- Learn actionable strategies to create a supportive and inclusive environment for ELs.
- Reflect on their teaching practices to ensure equity and accessibility for all students.
Target Audience
- K-12 teachers, including general education, content-area, and language educators.
- School and district administrators.
- Instructional coaches and curriculum developers.
Making Content (Input) Comprehensible
Overview
This professional development (PD) session is designed to help educators understand the challenges English Learners (ELs) face in accessing academic content. Through experiential learning, participants will reflect on their teaching practices and explore strategies for making content comprehensible and accessible. The session aligns with the “Guiding Principles for Dual Language Education” and focuses on improving instruction and equity for ELs.
Session Objectives
- Empathize with the experience of EL students by participating in a content lesson delivered in an unfamiliar language.
- Identify barriers to comprehension that EL students face in the classroom.
- Explore and implement strategies for scaffolding and modifying lessons to make content comprehensible.
- Reflect on how language acquisition can be supported through research-based instructional practices.
Target Audience
- Dual language and bilingual educators
- K-12 teachers (content and language educators)
- Administrators and instructional coaches
Engaging English Learners: Creating Opportunities for Interaction
Overview
This professional development (PD) session empowers educators with strategies to foster active participation among English Learners (ELs). Teachers will explore research-based, interactive methods to create engaging classroom environments that promote collaboration, creativity, and confidence-building. By embedding meaningful opportunities for language practice, participants will learn to enhance ELs’ academic achievement and social-emotional growth.
Session Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will:
- Understand the importance of interaction in language development and its role in supporting ELs’ academic success.
- Explore and practice interactive strategies that promote meaningful communication, collaboration, and engagement among ELs.
- Learn how to adapt classroom activities to meet the diverse linguistic and cultural needs of ELs.
- Leave with actionable tools to create inclusive and interactive learning spaces that support ELs’ confidence and language acquisition.
Target Audience
- K-12 general education teachers.
- ESOL specialists, bilingual educators, and dual-language teachers.
- Instructional coaches and administrators.
Sheltered Instruction: Putting It All Together
Overview
This hands-on professional development workshop equips educators with the tools necessary to modify their lessons to better serve English learners (ELs). Teachers will bring their own lesson plans to modify during the session, with guidance from Marcelo Sousa. The session includes examples of modified lessons for elementary, middle, and high school levels, tailored to four different English proficiency levels. Participants will gain practical, actionable strategies to make content accessible for ELs while maintaining academic rigor.
Session Objectives
By the end of the session, participants will:
- Understand the principles of sheltered instruction and its importance in supporting ELs.
- Learn practical strategies to modify lessons while maintaining academic rigor.
- Identify ways to scaffold instruction for ELs at different proficiency levels.
- Apply what they’ve learned to their own lesson plans during the workshop.
Target Audience
- K-12 classroom teachers across all content areas.
- ESOL and bilingual educators.
- Instructional coaches and curriculum developers.
- Administrators seeking to improve instructional practices for ELs.
EL Critical Data Process
Overview
This professional development session introduces educators to the “Critical Data Process,” a research-based framework from Steve Gill’s book, The ELL Critical Data Process. Developed in collaboration with Marcelo Sousa, this session emphasizes culturally responsive and equitable practices for assessing English Learners (ELs). Participants will learn how to distinguish between language acquisition needs and learning disabilities, ensuring that interventions or referrals to special education are appropriate and effective.
Session Objectives
By the end of the session, participants will:
- Understand the framework of the EL Critical Data Process.
- Learn how to gather and analyze critical data to make informed decisions for ELs.
- Identify the roles of key staff members in ensuring equitable intervention processes.
- Develop strategies to foster culturally responsive practices when assessing ELs.
- Leave with tools and resources to implement the Critical Data Process in their school or district.
Target Audience
- K-12 general education teachers.
- ESOL and bilingual educators.
- Special education teachers.
- School administrators and instructional coaches.
Building Individualized Language Development Plans (LDPs) with AI Integration (NEW)
Overview
This professional development (PD) module equips educators with the tools and knowledge needed to create and implement individualized Language Development Plans (LDPs) for English Learners (ELs). Marcelo Sousa will share examples of effective LDPs and demonstrate why these plans are critical for tracking progress, setting measurable goals, and ensuring every EL student’s success. Additionally, this session will introduce the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a game-changer in education to enhance equity and equality. Participants will learn how AI can streamline the creation of LDPs, analyze data trends, and provide actionable insights to support EL students more effectively.
Session Objectives
By the end of the session, participants will:
- Understand the importance of Language Development Plans (LDPs) in supporting ELs’ academic and linguistic growth.
- Learn the essential components of an effective LDP, including data tracking, goal setting, and progress monitoring.
- Explore how AI tools can simplify the creation of LDPs, improve accuracy, and promote equitable practices.
- Develop an LDP for one of their EL students using AI-powered resources and tools.
- Reflect on how AI can transform the educational experience for ELs by ensuring both equity (fairness) and equality (equal access to resources).
Target Audience
- K-12 general education teachers.
- ESOL specialists, bilingual educators, and dual-language teachers.
- Special education teachers working with dually identified ELs.
- Instructional coaches and school administrators focused on equity and inclusion.
Ethical AI for Bilingual Learners: Personalized and Responsible Teaching (NEW)
Overview
This professional development (PD) session bridges the power of artificial intelligence (AI) with the needs of bilingual learners. Participants will explore how AI tools can create personalized, efficient, and engaging teaching experiences. The session emphasizes the importance of ethical and responsible integration of AI in education, equipping educators with strategies to promote critical thinking, sociocultural competence, and equity in dual language classrooms.
By aligning with the Guiding Principles for Dual Language Education, this session highlights how AI can support bilingualism, biliteracy, and academic achievement while fostering inclusive and culturally responsive teaching practices.
Session Objectives
By the end of the session, participants will:
- Understand how AI can enhance bilingualism, biliteracy, and sociocultural competence in dual language programs.
- Explore practical strategies for integrating AI tools to personalize instruction and increase student engagement.
- Learn the ethical considerations and safeguards necessary for using AI responsibly in classrooms.
- Equip students with skills to think critically and act responsibly when using AI tools in their learning.
- Leave with actionable steps and resources to implement AI-driven tools in equitable and culturally responsive ways
Target Audience
- K-12 dual language and bilingual educators.
- ESOL specialists and multilingual program coordinators.
- Instructional coaches and administrators focused on equity and innovation in education.