Engaging ELLs and Their Families in the School and Community from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Key Aspects of Engaging ELLs and their Families

Welcome to week 1 of the course! This is an important module, as it sets the foundation for many of the strategies presented in this course. We hope that you find the module very informative. By the end of this module, you will be able to define the culture of ELLs in K-12 classrooms across the U.S., recognize cultural impact on learning and formal education, assess your school’s engagement of ELLs and their families, incorporate culturally sensitive techniques to engage ELLs in the classroom and school and implement strategies for engaging ELLs’ families in the school and larger community. Let's get started!

Case Study: The American Dream Academy, Phoenix, AZ

Welcome to week 2 of the course! We are thrilled to introduce you to a stellar organization, the American Dream Academy, and the many things that they do to engage families. By the end of this module, you will be able to implement strategies for reaching out to ELL parents, apply concepts of parental training to your own teaching and school contexts, develop a plan for success for parental involvement to implement in your own classroom and school context, apply concepts of teaching training to your own school context, and devise solutions for parent involvement in your own classroom and school context. Let's get started!

Case Study: Longfellow Elementary School, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Welcome to week 3 of the course! In this module, we showcase another exciting case study in hopes that you can adapt many of the ideas presented. By the end of this module, you will be able to integrate culture into classroom practices such as building background knowledge, implement TPR strategies in classroom activities to support ELL engagement, understand the importance of setting clear expectations for learning and classroom behavior, set clear expectations that are sensitive to cultural differences, use bilingual and multicultural strategies to foster a welcoming environment. Let's get started!

Case Study: Alhambra High School, Phoenix, AZ

Welcome to week 4 of the course! We are so excited for this module and to introduce you to Alhambra High School. We hope that you find this module inspirational and that you are able to adopt and adapt many of the ideas presented. By the end of this module, you will be able to apply strategies for creating a culturally supportive school environment, connect students to the school community through creating clubs and school-wide activities, implement new strategies for bringing diverse cultures to the school, and use sports as additional opportunities for school engagement. Let's get started!

Community Outreach

Welcome to week 5 of the course! In this module, we are going to take you beyond the classroom and look at a variety of ways to engage the family in different aspects of the community. By the end of this module, you will be able to identify organizations in your community that provide support for families, approach organizations regarding working with your students and their families, and implement online resources and apps in your classroom communication as a method for reaching parents and maintaining parent-teacher partnerships. Let's get started!

Review and Assessment

Welcome to week 6! Congratulations and well done. It is now time to apply the many strategies for Engaging the ELL and their Families in the School and Community to your own teaching context. By the end of this module, you will be able to synthesize course material, complete the final exam and complete the optional peer review. Good luck!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores culture's role in learning and formal education, which is often crucial for students' academic success

Provides strategies for engaging families, ranging from parental training to creating a culturally supportive school environment, which can be essential for student engagement

Showcases case studies of effective engagement strategies from various schools and organizations, which can provide practical insights and best practices

Covers community outreach strategies for extending support beyond the classroom, which can be valuable for building relationships with families and the wider community

Requires students to complete a final exam and peer review, which can offer opportunities for assessment and feedback

Provides strategies for assessing a school's engagement of ELLs and their families, which may be useful for evaluating current practices and identifying areas for improvement

Reviews summary

Engaging families of ells course

Learners say this course is positive and informative. Students enjoyed the engaging assignments and the excellent material applicable to their work with families and students

Content is excellent, informative, and rich

"Excellent content with very important information."

"The topics were very interesting and easy to follow."

"Excellent material to be able to apply with my students and parents."

Submitting assignments is frustrating

"I'm giving this course a low rating not because of content, but because of the technical frustrations with the posting of assignments"

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 Engaging ELLs and Their Families in the School and Community with these activities:

Review ELL Concepts

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Provide a brief summary of the key concepts related to ELL education, so that you can effectively implement strategies and procedures for engaging your ELL students and their families in your classroom and school.

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Explore the definition of ELL and its implications for teaching.
Examine different models of ELL instruction and their effectiveness.
Consider the role of culture in ELL education and how it impacts language acquisition.
Explore the challenges and opportunities of teaching ELL students.

Find a mentor who can support your work with ELLs

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This activity will help you to connect with an experienced educator who can provide guidance and support in your work with ELLs.

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Identify the qualities you are looking for in a mentor.
Reach out to potential mentors and ask if they are interested in mentoring you.
Establish a regular meeting schedule and discuss your goals and challenges with your mentor.

Review teaching strategies for diverse learners

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Strengthen your understanding of effective teaching methods for students from diverse backgrounds.

Browse courses on Culturally Responsive Teaching

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Review course materials and research best practices
Attend workshops or professional development sessions on culturally responsive teaching
Reflect on your own teaching practices and identify areas for improvement

Ten other activities

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Show all 13 activities

Join a study group

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Collaborate with other students to discuss course materials, share insights, and work through problems.

Browse courses on Diversity and Inclusion

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Find a study group or start your own
Schedule regular meetings
Prepare for meetings by reviewing course materials and completing assignments
Actively participate in discussions and share your perspectives

Attend a conference on ELL education

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Connect with other professionals in the field to learn about best practices and resources for engaging ELLs and their families.

Browse courses on Family Engagement

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Research conferences on ELL education
Register for a conference
Attend sessions and workshops on engaging ELLs and their families
Network with other educators and professionals

Practice Implementing Culturally Sensitive Techniques

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Engage in activities that provide practice in implementing culturally sensitive techniques in the classroom, so that you can create a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for your ELL students.

Browse courses on Culturally Responsive Teaching

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Develop lesson plans that incorporate culturally relevant materials and activities.
Use visuals, gestures, and other non-verbal cues to support comprehension.
Provide opportunities for students to share their cultural experiences and perspectives.
Create a classroom environment that is welcoming and respectful of all cultures.
Collaborate with parents and community members to gain insights into students' cultural backgrounds.

Explore strategies for engaging ELL families

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This activity will help you develop strategies for engaging ELL families more effectively by providing practical tips and guidance.

Browse courses on Parental Involvement

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Review research-based strategies for engaging ELL families.
Identify and analyze best practices for building strong relationships with ELL families.
Develop a plan for implementing these strategies in your own classroom or school.

Collaborate with colleagues on engaging ELLs

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This activity will help you to learn from and share ideas with other educators who are also working to engage ELLs.

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Join a peer learning group or online community focused on ELL education.
Participate in discussions and share your experiences with engaging ELLs.
Collaborate with colleagues to develop and implement new strategies for engaging ELLs.

Develop a classroom plan for engaging ELLs and their families

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Create a practical plan to implement strategies for engaging ELLs and their families in your classroom.

Browse courses on Classroom Management

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Identify the specific needs of the ELLs in your classroom
Research and select culturally sensitive teaching strategies
Develop a plan for communicating with ELL families
Create a welcoming and supportive classroom environment

Learn Strategies for Engaging ELL Families in School

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Participate in online or in-person workshops or webinars that provide guidance on strategies for engaging ELL families and building strong partnerships with them, so that you can effectively support their children's academic and social development.

Browse courses on Family Engagement

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Attend a workshop or webinar on family engagement strategies for ELL families.
Research best practices for engaging ELL families.
Develop a plan for implementing family engagement strategies in your classroom.
Share your plan with your colleagues and administrators.

Practice using culturally sensitive teaching methods

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This activity will help you build your confidence in using culturally sensitive teaching methods by providing opportunities to practice.

Browse courses on Culturally Responsive Teaching

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Develop lesson plans that incorporate culturally sensitive teaching methods.
Teach lessons using these methods and reflect on your experiences.
Seek feedback from students and colleagues to improve your practice.

Write a blog or article about your experiences engaging ELLs and their families

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Share your insights and strategies for engaging ELLs and their families with a broader audience.

Browse courses on Family Engagement

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Reflect on your experiences with engaging ELLs and their families
Identify the key strategies that have been successful
Write a blog or article that describes your experiences and strategies

Develop a plan for engaging ELLs and their families

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This activity will help you apply what you have learned in the course to develop a plan that you can implement in your own classroom or school.

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Identify the specific needs of the ELLs and their families in your school or community.
Research evidence-based strategies for engaging ELLs and their families.
Develop a comprehensive plan that includes specific goals, activities, and timelines.
Present your plan to stakeholders and seek feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Engaging ELLs and Their Families in the School and Community will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

ESL Teacher

ESL Teachers help non-native speakers of English learn the language. They may work in schools, community colleges, or other settings. This course is directly relevant to the work of ESL teachers. It can provide them with strategies for engaging ELLs and their families in the learning process.

See salaries and explore the career path for ESL Teacher

Teacher

Teachers play a vital role in the lives of their students. They help students learn and grow, both academically and personally. This course may be especially helpful for teachers who work with ELLs and their families. It can provide them with strategies for engaging ELLs and their families. The course also includes case studies of successful ELL engagement programs, which can provide teachers with valuable insights.

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School Counselor

School Counselors are there to help students succeed in school and in life. They provide academic, career, and personal counseling to students. This course may be particularly useful for school counselors who work with ELLs and their families. It can provide them with strategies for engaging ELLs and their families.

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Multicultural Liaison

Multicultural Liaisons are responsible for helping organizations, schools, and communities become more welcoming and inclusive for people from diverse backgrounds. This course may be helpful to someone in this role because it can help them understand the unique challenges that ELLs and their families face. This knowledge can help them develop more effective strategies for engaging these families.

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Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Diversity and Inclusion Managers develop and implement strategies to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. They work to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees. This course may be helpful to someone in this role because it can provide them with strategies for engaging diverse communities, including those of ELLs.

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Educational Consultant

Educational Consultants provide advice and support to schools and other educational organizations. They may help schools improve their curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices. This course may be helpful to someone in this role because it can provide them with strategies for engaging ELLs and their families. This knowledge can help them better support schools that serve ELLs.

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Family Advocate

Family Advocates work to ensure that families have the resources they need to be successful. They may work with families in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, and community organizations. This course can be helpful for someone in this role because it can help them understand the importance of engaging families in a culturally sensitive way. This can be especially important for working with families of ELLs.

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Adult Education Teacher

Adult Education Teachers help adults improve their literacy and numeracy skills. They may also help adults learn English. This course may be helpful to someone in this role because it can provide them with strategies for engaging adult learners. This can be especially important for working with adult ELLs.

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Home Visitor

Home Visitors play an important role in the lives of families, especially those with young children. They may provide support, education, and resources to families in their homes. This course can be helpful for someone in this role by giving them strategies for engaging families in a way that is both culturally sensitive and family-centered. This course can help Home Visitors better support families of ELLs.

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Community Outreach Specialist

Having a strong understanding of strategies to engage a community can directly lead to success as a Community Outreach Specialist. This role is tasked with improving a community's overall quality of life and wellness. They play a role in coordinating events and programs at the community level in an effort to make improvements. This course may be particularly helpful for learning how to connect with a community and build relationships with the families of ELLs. This can help someone effectively reach out to and involve families in various activities and programs.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people overcome challenges and improve their well-being. They may work with individuals, families, groups, and communities. This course may be helpful to someone in this role because it can help them understand the unique challenges that ELLs and their families face. This knowledge can help them develop more effective strategies for working with these families.

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Community Engagement Manager

In their role, Community Engagement Managers develop and implement strategies to engage the community in a meaningful way. They work to find ways to get people involved in the decisions that affect their community. This course may be useful to someone in this role because it can help them understand the importance of engaging diverse communities, including those of ELLs.

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Family Services Coordinator

In their work, Family Services Coordinators typically work with families of children who have special needs. They help to ensure that children and their families get the resources they need. This course can help someone in this role by allowing them to build a foundational understanding of how to better engage families in a supportive way. The strategies learned in this course can be applied when engaging families of children with special needs.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze policies to make recommendations for improvements. They may work in government, academia, or the nonprofit sector. This course may be helpful to someone in this role because it can provide them with strategies for engaging stakeholders and building consensus. This can be especially important for policy analysts who work on issues related to ELLs and their families.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. They are responsible for fundraising, budgeting, and program development and implementation. This course may be helpful to someone in this role because it can provide them with strategies for engaging the community and building partnerships. This can be especially important for nonprofits that work with ELLs and their families.

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