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Alice Llanos and Rachel Kraut, Ph.D.

This course is designed for early career teachers (0-3 years of experience) to build a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to work with English learners, no matter the age or subject taught. We’ll start off by learning about the importance of specialized instruction for ELs and principles that teachers should follow to set the stage for their academic. Next, we’ll expand on the concepts from module 1 and explore practical steps for teachers in the classroom, including how to make linguistic and instructional accommodations for ELs. We take a deeper dive into techniques for teachers and present strategies for students to bolster their own academic success in module 3. The course wraps up with module 4, which is all about facilitating academic success for special groups of English learners, including gifted students, long-term English learners, and ELs with disabilities.

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This course is designed for early career teachers (0-3 years of experience) to build a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to work with English learners, no matter the age or subject taught. We’ll start off by learning about the importance of specialized instruction for ELs and principles that teachers should follow to set the stage for their academic. Next, we’ll expand on the concepts from module 1 and explore practical steps for teachers in the classroom, including how to make linguistic and instructional accommodations for ELs. We take a deeper dive into techniques for teachers and present strategies for students to bolster their own academic success in module 3. The course wraps up with module 4, which is all about facilitating academic success for special groups of English learners, including gifted students, long-term English learners, and ELs with disabilities.

Throughout this course, you will watch instructional videos, read scholarly articles, participate in discussion boards, and complete assignments that will encourage you to think about your practices as a teacher of ELs. Finally, you will complete this course with a treasure trove of practical classroom activities and tips for fostering academic success with English learners.

By participating in this course, teachers will be better prepared to serve the English learners in their classrooms through sheltered instruction principles, effective lesson planning and assessment practices, purposefully reflecting on teaching, and understanding the unique challenges faced by this group of students.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Setting the Stage for Success
In Module 1, you will learn how to set the stage for academic success for English Learners. You’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of sheltered instruction. We'll explore factors that may affect the foundation of an EL’s academic success such as the classroom affective filter, engaging ELs’ families in their education and teacher expectations. You will be able identify the key components of a quality lesson plan within a sheltered instruction model. We wrap up the module by reflecting on your own experiences writing lesson plans for ELs and engaging their families. Learners will be required to evaluated a sheltered instruction lesson plan for best practices.
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Principles in Practice
Module 2 is all about putting the principles of sheltered instruction into action. We'll learn a number of different strategies to make linguistic and instructional accommodations for ELs in the classroom. You’ll discover the importance of output for ELs and different ways to encourage it. We'll introduce the five principles of assessment. You will gain awareness of different factors affecting the assessment of ELs such as language barriers and the need for ongoing informal assessment. We wrap up the module by reflecting on your experiences with accommodating instruction and designing assessment tools for ELs. Learners will be required to analyze teaching videos for appropriate use of linguistic and instructional accommodations in a sheltered instruction environment.
Strategies for Students and Techniques for Teachers
In module 3, we introduce a number of techniques for teachers to use with ELs, including Complex Instruction, Universal Design for Learning, multimodal materials, and more. We will learn about the characteristics of a reflective teacher. You'll discover different tools and data sources to help you reflect on your teaching practices. You'll understand the benefits of teaching students to use metacognitive and language learning strategies. We wrap up the module by reflecting on your experience with the techniques and tools discussed in the lessons. Learners will be required to identify metacognitive and language learning strategies in action.
Academic Success for Special Groups of ELs
The final module in the course aims to educate course participants about working with three special groups of ELs: gifted ELs, long-term English learners, and ELs with disabilities. We will share common characteristics from research about each group as well as best practices for supporting them in the classroom. You will learn about some of the unique challenges involved in the identification process, instruction, and assessment for these special groups as well. The module wraps up by reflecting on your experience working with gifted ELs and ELs with disabilities. Learners will be required to create a lesson plan to effectively engage LTELs in the classroom.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on providing best practices and scaffolding for teachers working with English learners across all subjects
Led by experienced instructors with strong foundational knowledge in English language teaching, theory, and practice
Designed specifically for early career teachers looking to develop their skills in meeting the unique needs of English learners
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of sheltered instruction, an effective approach for teaching English learners
Covers a range of topics, including creating a supportive learning environment, adapting lesson plans, and providing appropriate assessments
Offers practical strategies and techniques for teachers to use in their classrooms, such as metacognitive and language learning strategies

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Academic Success for English Learners with these activities:
Volunteer at a Local Organization Supporting English Learners
Gain practical experience and contribute to the community while supporting the language learning of English learners.
Show steps
  • Identify local organizations or programs that provide services to English learners
  • Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities
  • Assist English learners with language practice, homework help, or other support services
Connect with Experienced Mentors in the Field
Seek guidance and support from experienced professionals to enhance your knowledge and skills in teaching English learners.
Browse courses on Mentorship
Show steps
  • Identify experienced teachers, administrators, or researchers in the field of English language teaching
  • Reach out to potential mentors and request their guidance
  • Schedule regular meetings or communication to seek advice and support
Read Academic Articles on Language Learning Approaches
Build a stronger foundation for understanding the theories and principles behind teaching English learners.
Show steps
  • Identify 5 peer-reviewed academic articles on language learning approaches
  • Read and summarize the key findings and implications of each article
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Gather Resources and Materials for Teaching English Learners
Create a comprehensive collection of resources and materials that you can use to support the language learning of your students.
Show steps
  • Identify websites, databases, and other resources that provide materials for teaching English learners
  • Download and organize relevant resources, such as lesson plans, activities, and videos
Explore Online Resources for Lesson Planning in Sheltered Instruction
Gain practical knowledge and skills in planning effective sheltered instruction lessons.
Browse courses on Lesson Planning
Show steps
  • Create an account on a reputable educational platform (e.g., Coursera, edX)
  • Enroll in a guided tutorial course or watch videos on lesson planning for sheltered instruction
  • Complete assignments and practice activities to reinforce your learning
Participate in Online Forums to Discuss Classroom Strategies
Engage with other teachers to share experiences, ask questions, and gain new perspectives on teaching English learners.
Show steps
  • Join online forums or discussion groups for teachers of English learners
  • Participate in discussions, asking questions and sharing your own insights
  • Reflect on what you learn from others and incorporate new ideas into your teaching
Develop a Lesson Plan that Incorporates Strategies for Diverse Learners
Apply your knowledge to create a practical lesson plan that caters to the diverse learning needs of English learners in your classroom.
Browse courses on Lesson Planning
Show steps
  • Choose a specific English language learning topic or skill
  • Research and identify appropriate strategies for teaching the topic to English learners
  • Develop a detailed lesson plan that incorporates differentiated instruction
  • Implement the lesson plan in your classroom and reflect on its effectiveness
Create Accommodation Plans for Students with Diverse Learning Needs
Develop your skills in creating tailored accommodation plans that meet the unique learning styles and needs of English learners.
Browse courses on Special Needs
Show steps
  • Identify different learning disabilities and challenges that English learners may face
  • Practice creating accommodation plans for specific scenarios and case studies
  • Get feedback from peers or experts on your accommodation plans

Career center

Learners who complete Academic Success for English Learners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
ELL Program Coordinator
An ELL Program Coordinator oversees and manages English language learning programs for schools or districts. This course may be helpful to those interested in becoming ELL Program Coordinators as it will introduce the principles of sheltered instruction, as well as effective assessment practices for ELs.
TESOL Teacher
A TESOL Teacher teaches English to students who are not native English speakers. This course may be useful for those interested in becoming a TESOL Teacher, in that it will provide a solid foundation of the principles and strategies for working with ELs.
Instructional Designer
An Instructional Designer creates and develops educational materials and programs to facilitate learning. The principles of sheltered instruction, as well as the focus on practical classroom accommodations for ELs, may be useful to those looking to become Instructional Designers.
Special Education Teacher
A Special Education Teacher works with students who have disabilities to provide individualized instruction and support. This course may be useful for Special Education Teachers, as it will provide an overview of principles and strategies for assessing and supporting ELs with disabilities.
Gifted and Talented Teacher
A Gifted and Talented Teacher works with students who are identified as gifted or talented to provide them with challenging and enriching learning experiences. This course may be useful for those interested in becoming a Gifted and Talented Teacher, as it will help them to build a foundation for understanding the principles of sheltered instruction and effective assessment practices for ELs.
Bilingual Teacher
A Bilingual Teacher teaches core academic subjects to students in two languages, allowing them to continue developing their native language while learning English. The sheltered instruction principles introduced in this course may be helpful to Bilingual Teachers.
Language Arts Teacher
A Language Arts Teacher develops and implements lesson plans to teach students reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. The principles of sheltered instruction and the focus on practical classroom accommodations for ELS may be of great use to Language Arts Teachers.
Literacy Coach
A Literacy Coach provides support and guidance to teachers to help improve their literacy instruction. This course may be useful for those who want to become Literacy Coaches in that it will help them to build a foundation for understanding the principles of sheltered instruction and effective assessment practices for ELs.
Educational Consultant
An Educational Consultant provides support and guidance to schools and other educational institutions to help improve their educational practices. This course may be helpful in providing the foundation for supporting and guiding ELs, as well as teachers who work with them.
Adult Education Teacher
An Adult Education Teacher works with adults to help them improve their literacy and numeracy skills. This course may be useful for Adult Education Teachers, as it will help them to build a foundation for working with ELs.
Higher Education Instructor
A Higher Education Instructor teaches courses at a college or university. This course may be useful for those interested in becoming a Higher Education Instructor, as it will provide them with an overview of principles and strategies for assessing and supporting ELs in higher education.
Educational Researcher
An Educational Researcher conducts research to improve educational practices and policies. This course may be useful for those interested in becoming an Educational Researcher, as it will provide them with an overview of principles and strategies for assessing and supporting ELs.
School Administrator
A School Administrator manages the operations of a school and provides leadership to teachers and staff. An understanding of the principles and strategies for supporting English learners may be useful for School Administrators to effectively lead their schools.
ESL Teacher
An ESL Teacher works with non-native English speakers to help them learn and improve their English language skills. This course may be useful in helping one to build a foundation for working with English learners in order to set the stage for their academic sucess.
Curriculum Developer
A Curriculum Developer designs and develops educational materials and programs. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in Curriculum Development in that it will help them to understand principles of effective lesson planning for English learners.

Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Academic Success for English Learners.
Discusses the theoretical and practical aspects of teaching English as a foreign language. It foundational text with a focus on methodology and practical application. It would be a valuable resource for teachers of English as a foreign language, including course participants.
Explores the role of culture in language teaching, providing practical guidance and strategies for incorporating culture into the language classroom. It would be of interest to course participants interested in developing their understanding of the cultural dimension of language learning and teaching.
Provides a comprehensive guide to creating and using language teaching materials. It covers various aspects of materials development, including principles, techniques, and evaluation. It useful resource for teachers and materials developers, including course participants interested in developing their own teaching materials.
This handbook provides a collection of essays on language teaching methodology, pedagogical theory, and applied linguistics. It comprehensive reference that would be of interest to course participants who want to delve deeper into the theoretical underpinnings of their practice.
Provides a concise and accessible overview of the major theories and research findings in second language acquisition. It would be valuable to course participants seeking theoretical background or foundational knowledge on this topic.
Explores issues and practices in second language teacher education, providing insights into the preparation and professional development of language teachers. It would be of interest to course participants interested in pursuing a career in teaching English to speakers of other languages or those interested in the field of teacher education.

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