The ESOL Foundations Academy is a comprehensive course that explores essential elements of effective ESOL teaching (TESOL). While designed for new teachers of adult ESOL, the course is open to experienced teachers seeking to strengthen and deepen their ESOL teaching practice. Through self-paced activities, live facilitated sessions, and individualized coaching, course participants explore TESOL topics such as contextualized language instruction, culturally responsive teaching, student-centered interactive and engaging classroom activities, lesson planning, differentiated and scaffolded instruction, strategies that foster student independence, and reflective professional practice.
Note to directors: Depending on the number of registrations, the number of participants per program may be capped.
- New teachers of adult ESOL. Experienced ESOL teachers may also participate depending on availability.
This professional development activity/course is designed for:
This comprehensive course lays the foundation for effective ESOL teaching (TESOL). Through learning, reflecting, practical application, and coaching, course participants will explore essential TESOL topics such as:
- cultivating an inclusive, culturally responsive classroom environment
- contextualizing language instruction in meaningful, relevant content
- providing opportunities for learner interaction and engagement
- planning and delivering rigorous lessons
- differentiating and scaffolding instruction
- developing strategies for student independence
- creating a reflective professional practice
The course blends self-paced and facilitated sessions, with coaching as an essential feature. Participants will work with a coach throughout the course and will have the opportunity to continue with coaching after the course ends.
Module 1
- Course opens with self-paced activities on Canvas (9/24/25 to 10/8/25)
Module 2
- Virtual session on Zoom (10/8/25, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
- Coaching and self-paced activities on Canvas (10/8/25 to 10/22/25)
Module 3
- Virtual session on Zoom (10/22/25, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
- Coaching and self-paced activities on Canvas (10/22/25 to 11/5/25)
Module 4
- Virtual session on Zoom (11/5/25, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
- Coaching and self-paced activities on Canvas (11/5/25 to 11/19/25)
Module 5
- Virtual session on Zoom (11/19/25, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
- Coaching and self-paced activities on Canvas (11/19/25 to 12/3/25)
Module 6
- In-person session at EDC Waltham (12/3/25, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
Post-course Coaching
- Class visits and meetings with coach on Zoom and/or in-person
Total PD hours: 26 hours (2 hours for each virtual and self-paced session and coaching)
PDPs: This course is PDP eligible. If interested in receiving PDPs, please contact Dori McCormack at dmccormack@edc.org.
- Apply inclusive, culturally responsive practices that foster community and collaboration
- Design and implement ESOL lessons that are aligned with the Massachusetts English Language Proficiency Standards (MA ELPS) and reflect principles of second language acquisition
- Scaffold and differentiate content and instruction to support and challenge all learners
- Use a variety of formative and summative assessments
- Develop a reflective professional practice to continuously improve teaching and learning outcomes for students
Upon completion of this professional development activity/course, you will be able to:
None
On Zoom- Link will be sent before first virtual session
United States
