Bilingual Teacher Resources
By Sarah A
About this collection
This collection addresses three critical areas for bilingual education: effective assessment practices, the teacher shortage crisis, and professional development strategies. ## Assessment in Bilingual Classrooms The resources provide frameworks for assessing multilingual learners through multiple modalities and in both languages. You'll find practical approaches including portfolio-based assessments, performance tasks, and Universal Design principles that reduce linguistic barriers. The materials emphasize three assessment purposes: as learning (student agency), for learning (instructional guidance), and of learning (measuring progress). ## Addressing Teacher Shortages The collection documents how systemic barriers—financial pressures, logistical challenges, and linguistic obstacles—prevent qualified bilingual adults from entering teaching. It showcases concrete reforms from California, Texas, and Georgia that prioritize flexibility in teacher training and licensure, including alternative pathways like residencies and apprenticeships. ## Professional Development With only 10% of teachers holding specific EL credentials, these resources offer research-based strategies for scaffolding, building academic discourse, and implementing culturally responsive teaching. Reading recommendations provide both leadership inspiration and classroom-ready strategies. The collection serves as both a diagnostic tool for identifying systemic challenges and a practical guide for improving daily instruction, making it valuable for educators seeking to enhance their practice while advocating for policy changes.
Curated Sources
Tips for Assessing Language Learners | Blog | ParticipateTips for Assessing Language Learners | Blog | Participate
Assessing students who are English language learners (ELLs) or in dual language (DL) environments can be challenging due to limited availability of assessments in native languages and lack of trained specialists. Teachers often struggle to determine whether a student's difficulties stem from language acquisition or cognitive development issues. To address this, educators can employ various strategies such as assessing the whole child through different teaching methods, documenting observations, involving the community, and creating a trusting classroom environment. By using manipulatives, speaking, reading, and writing activities, teachers can better understand where students are struggling. Documentation of student progress is crucial for identifying patterns and initiating proper diagnosis. Involving parents through regular updates and encouraging them to engage their children in various linguistic and cultural activities can also aid in student development. Creating a supportive classroom environment that fosters strong relationships among students and between students and teachers is essential for effective learning.
Key Takeaways
- Teachers should use diverse assessment methods to understand ELLs' and DL students' needs, allowing them to demonstrate mastery in various ways.
- Documentation of student progress is critical for identifying potential cognitive development issues and initiating proper support.
- Involving parents and the community in students' learning processes can significantly enhance their development and language acquisition.
- Creating a trusting classroom environment that encourages risk-taking and peer support is vital for effective learning among ELLs and DL students.
6 Strategies for Assessing English Language Learners | TAO
Assessment plays a crucial role in understanding student learning, particularly for English Language Learners (ELLs). With over 4.9 million ELLs in US schools, educators must design assessments that accurately measure content knowledge while considering language barriers. Effective strategies include leveraging technology with Universal Design principles, formative assessments, portfolio-based assessments, performance-based assessments, gamification, and clear rubrics. These approaches help reduce linguistic barriers, provide multiple ways for students to demonstrate learning, and offer low-stakes opportunities for feedback. By understanding learner backgrounds and assessment purposes, educators can create targeted assessments that measure student learning accurately. Digital assessment tools can ease the design process and enhance student learning.
Key Takeaways
- Using Universal Design principles in assessments allows ELLs to demonstrate learning through various means, such as multimedia or artistic expression, reducing linguistic barriers.
- Formative assessments provide low-stakes opportunities for educators to gauge student understanding and correct misconceptions before summative assessments.
- Portfolio-based and performance-based assessments offer alternative methods to traditional testing, enabling ELLs to showcase their knowledge and skills in more comprehensive ways.
- Gamification can increase student engagement and motivation, particularly for ELLs, by making learning more interactive and enjoyable.
- Clear, student-friendly rubrics are essential for helping ELLs understand assessment expectations and take control of their learning.
Summer boost: Empowering teachers to inspire multilingual learners | Ellevation
Summer provides an opportunity for school leaders to strategically support teachers with professional learning to serve multilingual learners effectively. Most teachers lack specific training to support English learners (ELs), with only 10% holding a degree or certificate in EL instruction. Effective professional development (PD) should be practical, research-based, and tailored to teachers' needs. Strategies include scaffolding tasks, building academic discourse routines, and using culturally responsive teaching methods. School leaders should conduct needs assessments to identify knowledge gaps and provide flexible, differentiated PD options. Ellevation Education offers on-demand modules, podcasts, and reflection templates to support teacher growth.
Key Takeaways
- Effective teacher support requires tailored professional learning that addresses specific needs of multilingual learners.
- Conducting needs assessments helps identify knowledge gaps and informs PD planning.
- Practical, research-based strategies like scaffolding and culturally responsive teaching can enhance EL instruction.
Summer 2025 reading recommendations for EL educators | Ellevation
Ellevation Education recommends five books for English Language (EL) educators to read during summer 2025. The books focus on leadership, teaching multilingual learners, creating inclusive classrooms, and collaborative assessment. The recommended titles include 'Start with Why' by Simon Sinek, 'Welcome to Teaching Multilingual Learners' by Valentina Gonzalez, 'Igniting Real Change for Multilingual Learners' by Carly Spina, 'Discover, Connect, Respond' by Elise White Diaz, and 'Collaborative Assessment for Multilingual Learners and Teachers' by Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld and Dr. Margo Gottlieb. Each book is discussed in the context of Ellevation's Highest Aspirations podcast episodes, highlighting their relevance to supporting multilingual learners and educators.
Key Takeaways
- The recommended books offer a range of perspectives on supporting multilingual learners, from leadership and teaching strategies to assessment and trauma-informed practices.
- The selections emphasize practical, compassionate approaches to creating inclusive classrooms and promoting equity for multilingual learners.
- The books are connected to Ellevation's podcast episodes, providing additional context and insights from the authors themselves.
- The recommendations cater to educators seeking both big-picture inspiration and classroom-ready strategies for the upcoming school year.
Assessment and Evaluation in Bilingual Education
The chapter discusses the development of the Mathematics Classroom Observation Protocol (M-COP) to assess mathematics instruction in bilingual education programs. The M-COP was created as part of the Mathematics and Language, Literacy Integration (MALLI) project to support bilingual pre-service teachers in teaching mathematics while developing students' language and literacy skills. The protocol captures instructional practices, including language use, vocabulary development, literacy activities, and math discourse. It involves narrative notes and coding across five levels: language, major instructional focus, instructional activities, teacher interactions, and student response. The M-COP aims to evaluate the effectiveness of bilingual math instruction and provide guidance for teachers to improve their practice.
Key Takeaways
- The M-COP is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing mathematics instruction in bilingual education.
- The protocol captures the integration of language and literacy development in math instruction.
- The M-COP can be used to evaluate bilingual programs and inform teacher professional development.
Integrating classroom assessment to enhance language development
Classroom assessment is a crucial tool for capturing student learning in authentic ways, going beyond traditional assessment methods by incorporating multimodal approaches. It serves three primary purposes: assessment as learning, assessment for learning, and assessment of learning. Assessment as learning promotes active learning and student responsibility through activities like goal-setting, group presentations, and self-review. Assessment for learning focuses on educator guidance through feedback and instructional adjustments, using tools like rubrics and exit slips. Assessment of learning is summative, measuring learning against specific goals and standards through quizzes, presentations, and exams. These assessments promote agency in both educators and learners, allowing collaboration on purpose, timing, and methodology. WIDA offers a self-paced workshop on language development assessments for bilingual educators.
Key Takeaways
- Classroom assessment incorporates multimodal approaches to capture language learning authentically.
- Three assessment types - as, for, and of learning - promote student agency and educator guidance.
- Assessment strategies include goal-setting, rubrics, and self-assessment to foster language development.
- WIDA's workshop provides micro-tools and resources for bilingual educators to overcome assessment challenges.
- Collaborative assessment approaches allow educators and students to determine purpose and methodology together.
Best Practices for Assessment in the Bilingual Education Classroom - TAMIU Online
Assessment in bilingual education classrooms requires consideration of students' diverse language backgrounds and proficiency levels. Best practices include using multiple assessment measures, considering language proficiency, and incorporating authentic assessments that reflect students' cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Educators should assess students in both English and their native languages to get a comprehensive picture of their knowledge and abilities. Federal law allows native-language assessments for more accurate evaluations. Cultural differences should be considered in assessment design and interpretation. Involving parents and community members in the assessment process can provide valuable insights. Texas A&M International University's online M.S. in Bilingual Education with a Specialization in Reading program prepares educators to implement these strategies effectively.
Key Takeaways
- Using multiple assessment measures provides a more comprehensive understanding of bilingual students' abilities.
- Assessing students in both English and their native language is crucial for accurate evaluations.
- Cultural differences significantly impact assessment design and interpretation, requiring culturally sensitive approaches.
- Involving parents and community members in the assessment process enhances its validity and effectiveness.
- Educators need specialized training to effectively assess bilingual students, which programs like TAMIU's M.S. in Bilingual Education address.
How to Grow Bilingual Teacher Pathways: Making the Most of U.S. Linguistic and Cultural Diversity
The US is experiencing a shortage of bilingual teachers, limiting access to dual-language immersion (DLI) programs that benefit English learners (ELs). Research shows bilingual education models help ELs develop their home languages, learn English, and succeed academically. The shortage is due to systemic barriers, including financial, logistical, and linguistic challenges faced by young bilingual adults. Communities in California, Texas, and Georgia are experimenting with reforms to overcome these obstacles, such as flexible teacher training programs, financial aid, and alternative certification pathways. The report recommends policymakers prioritize flexibility, efficiency, and equivalency in teacher training and licensure systems to grow bilingual teacher pipelines.
Key Takeaways
- Reforms to teacher training and licensure systems can help address bilingual teacher shortages by providing flexibility and efficiency for young bilingual adults.
- Alternative teacher certification programs, such as teacher residencies and apprenticeships, can be effective in growing bilingual teacher pipelines.
- State and local policymakers should examine their licensure systems to ensure they are not inadvertently limiting the supply of bilingual teachers.
- Financial pressures are a significant barrier to bilingual teacher candidates, and targeted financial aid programs can help alleviate these challenges.
- Linguistic barriers, such as monolingual teacher licensure exams, can be addressed through equivalency measures, such as permitting teacher candidates to take preparation coursework or licensure exams in their native language.