In this online, multi-session workshop we explore and provide many opportunities to apply best instructional practices for teaching adult English learners. The workshop includes four facilitated virtual sessions and five asynchronous interim activities, all accessed through Blackboard. Participation in all four webinars and the interim activities is required.
The workshop is based on the Massachusetts Professional Standards for Teachers of Adult ESOL, Standard Six: Instructional Delivery.
Please note: You cannot access this online course through the SABES website. You will receive a separate email from Joanne Harrington at Quinsigamond Community College one to two days before the course begins with instructions on how to access the Blackboard course. If you do not receive these instructions, please check your spam folder for email from jharrington@qcc.mass.edu.
- Novice and experienced ESOL teachers and volunteers who would like to explore and expand their instructional toolkit
This professional development activity/course is designed for:
Standard 6 of the MA Professional Standards for Teachers of ESOL states that effective ESOL teachers ensure that instructional delivery is "1. relevant and inclusive, 2. contextualizes language learning in rigorous content that promotes critical thinking, and 3. includes engaging activities that promote student interaction, communication, and collaboration. In this PD series, we will discuss why each of these three elements of instruction is essential to student learning, share multiple examples of what these principles look like in practice, and invite participants to demonstrate how they will apply what they have learned to their teaching contexts.
The content of each module is as follows:
Module 1: Overview of Standard 6
- Self-paced Introduction - Opens Tuesday, January 25, 2022: The online course begins with a preliminary, asynchronous module that includes a video, a reading, and self-assessment activities designed to introduce participants to Standard 6. This module should be completed any time during the week prior to the first webinar in Module 2.
Module 2: Relevant and Inclusive Instruction
- Synchronous webinar - Tuesday, February 1, 2022 - 3:00–5:00 p.m.: Together, we will reflect on our teaching and identify our most important priorities. We explore the question, "How can we make my instruction relevant to and inclusive of all learners?" and discuss why it matters and what it looks like in practice in the ESOL classroom.
- Self-paced review, preview, and application: In the weeks following the webinar, participants will post an instructional practice that illustrates the principle of relevant and inclusive instruction. They will also preview key terms in advance of Module 3.
Module 3: Challenging and Supporting Diverse Learners
- Synchronous webinar - Tuesday, February 8, 2022 - 3:00-5:00 p.m.: Together, we will explore the question, "How do we challenge and support our diverse students?", look at strategies for scaffolding and differentiation, and discuss why it matters and what it looks like in practice in the ESOL classroom.
- Self-paced review, preview, and application: Following the webinar, participants will post an example that illustrates rigorous instruction with scaffolding and differentiation in order to set all learners up for success. They will also preview key terms in advance of Module 4.
Module 4: Engaging and Interactive Instruction
- Synchronous webinar - Tuesday, February 15, 2022 - 3:00–5:00 p.m.: Together, we will explore the question "How do I create an engaging environment for all leaners?" and discuss why this matters and what it looks like in practice in the adult ESOL classroom.
- Self-paced review, preview, and application: Participants will post an example that illustrates engaging and interactive instruction and also preview key terms in advance of Module 5.
Module 5: Fostering Independent Learning
- Synchronous webinar - Tuesday, March 1, 2022 - 3:00–5:00 p.m.: Together, we will explore the question, "How do we encourage independent learning?", identify and share strategies for providing effective feedback to your learners, and discuss why this matters and what it looks like in practice in the ESOL adult classroom.
- Self-paced review and application: Participants will post an example that illustrates an understanding of the instructional principle of gradual release of responsibility in order to encourage authentic communication and independent learning.
Total PD hours is 12: 4 synchronous webinars and 5 independent reading and application
- Explain the three key elements of instructional delivery, their subsequent components, and why they are important
- Use the lens of ESOL Professional Standard Six to reflect on your perceived strengths and areas for growth in ESOL instructional delivery practices
- Implement instructional practices that foster an inclusive community
- Identify instructional content that is meaningful and relevant to your learners
- Identify and implement collaborative and communicative activities
- Identify rigorous content that promotes critical thinking for ESOL learners at all levels
- Identify ways to scaffold content at your ESOL class level
- Identify and implement examples of differentiation that ensure that all your learners are supported and challenged
- Demonstrate an understanding of a gradual release of responsibility to learners in order to encourage authentic communication and independent learning
Upon completion of this professional development activity/course, you will be able to:
Participants should be comfortable using Zoom and toggling between Zoom and other windows.
United States
