English Language Learner Professional Development
The English Language Learning Support Services Team will provide professional development opportunities, including training, technical assistance and coaching to support the academic achievement of English Language Learners. Topics addressed may include: “Understanding Second Language Acquisition,” “Strategies for Success with English Language Learners,” the Dr. Virginia Rojas model, “Instructional Coaching for General and Special Education Teachers,” and “Using NYSESLAT Data to Inform Instruction.”
The number of English Language Learners (ELLs) in component school districts continues to increase. This service is designed to provide professional development to schools seeking to increase the capacity of their general education and special education teachers in working with students learning English as a second language (ESL) to meet the New York State Common Core Learning Standards. Understanding Second Language Acquisition
- This service provides targeted professional development to school districts with general education and special education teachers who are new to educating English Language Learners. The professional development will ground teachers in understanding the way a brain learns a second language, as well as help them to discover the needs of an ELL student based on their current language proficiency and explore basic instructional strategies for ELLs to access the curriculum.
Strategies for Success with English Language Learners – Dr. Virginia Rojas Model
- This service will provide school districts with professional development utilizing specific strategies as organized and developed by Dr. Virginia Rojas for increasing academic achievement and access for English Language Learners to the Common Core Learning Standards. Districts participating in this professional development will also need to purchase the book authored by Dr. Rojas. These strategies increase a teacher’s capacity to the scaffolds needed by ELLs and are effective for use in math, science, social studies and ELA.
Instructional Coaching for General Education and Special Education Teachers
- This service provides on-site instructional coaching for general education or special education teachers. Teachers teaching English Language Learners benefit from instructional coaching by observing a lesson demonstration and engaging in pre and post discussions related to increasing instructional capacity for working with English Language Learners (ELLs). This service can be provided one-on-one or with a small group of teachers at the same site.
Using NYSESLAT Data to Inform Instruction
- This service will assist schools in looking at their NYSESLAT data through a guided presentation to understand the results of their students with regard to individual results, proficiency levels for grouping and areas in which instructional emphasis must be made to improve academic achievement of ELLs in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
This service includes planning, facilitation, preparation of materials, customization and collaboration among staff as needed by Erie 1 BOCES.