January 2008
This newsletter is published quarterly by the Center for Adult English Acquisition (CAELA) Network at the Center for Applied Linguistics and is offered free of charge. If you have information that you would like us to consider including in the newsletter, please contact the editor at mburt@cal.org. The newsletter is written for all practitioners who work with adults learning English.
To subscribe to the Network News, send a message to caelanetwork@cal.org.
This publication was prepared with funding from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, under contract no. ED-07-CO-0084.
The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the U.S. Department of Education (ED).
The CAELA Network is Established
EL/Civics Online: Integrating EL/Civics into Adult ESL Classes
New and Upcoming from CAELA
The CAELA Network is Established
Since 2004, the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) has operated the Center for Adult English Language Acquisition (CAELA). This project, funded by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), was created to help states build their capacity to promote English language learning and academic achievement of adults learning English. CAELA staff has worked with 24 states to help them improve their capacity to provide systematic, sustained, quality professional development to practitioners working with adult English language learners. CAELA’s work with the adult English as a second language (ESL) field will end in March 2008
The need for high quality instruction for adult English language learners is significant. Due to the continuing increase in the number of immigrants in many states, there is an increased need for qualified personnel to work with adult English language learners and for systematic and ongoing professional development and technical assistance to increase learners’ achievement. In July 2007, ED initiated a full and open competition to provide an ESL center for adult education through September 2010. CAL was awarded the contract in September 2007.
This new project, the CAELA Network, will help states increase their capacity to provide more effective professional development to those who teach adult English language learners. From September 2007 to September 2010 the CAELA Network will:
--Continue to develop and maintain a searchable repository of research-based information on adult English language acquisition
--Publish resources, including an online course for adult ESL instructors, topical briefs, and quarterly newsletters for use by teachers and professional developers
--Develop a framework for quality professional development that states can use to enhance English language instruction for adult learners
--Provide training and technical assistance to states
--Look for more information about the CAELA Network and how states can participate in the new project in the next issue of Network News, in March 2008.
EL/Civics Online: Integrating EL/Civics into Adult ESL Classes
Do you want to help your ESL students learn about the history and government of the United States, become more involved in their communities, and explore the possibility of citizenship while they learn English? If so, a free professional development opportunity for teachers and volunteers is now available at www.elcivicsonline.org. Participate in these EL/Civics online courses and learn to assist your students in all of these areas as you incorporate EL/Civics into your adult ESL classes. EL/Civics Online includes special tutorials on Lesson Planning and Adapting Materials and provides you with your own personal Information Center, which allows you to keep your lesson plans, reflections, links, and resources in one convenient place.
[The development of EL/Civics Online is funded by the U.S. Department of Education/Office of Vocational and Adult Education and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services/Office of Citizenship.]
New and Upcoming from CAELA
The CAELA Guide for Adult ESL Trainers
by CAELA staff and consultants
This guide was prepared for professional developers and training staff to use in training novice and experienced teachers of adult English language learners. It contains resources for preparing and implementing professional development strategies such as coaching, peer mentoring, study circles, and workshops for local program staff. The guide also provides information on how to use the CAELA Web site as a resource for professional development activities and references for additional training materials. Topics selected for inclusion in The CAELA Guide are based on the needs articulated by the states that participated in the CAELA initiative to increase state capacity for providing professional development to local adult ESL program staff. The materials were developed, piloted, and revised over a 3-year period (2005–2007). To access and download the modularized guide, go to www.cal.org/caela/scb/guide/html.
Adult ESL Teacher Credentialing and Certification
by JoAnn (Jodi) Crandall, Genesis Ingersoll, and Jacqueline Lopez.
What are the certification, credentialing, and other requirements for adult ESL teachers in the 50 states and the District of Columbia? To answer this question, the authors of this brief collected information through telephone conversations with a range of individuals involved in adult education in the states. This brief describes efforts to professionalize the workforce of adult ESL educators, including efforts to certify or credential these teachers; discusses the qualification requirements for adult ESL teachers in the 50 states and the District of Columbia; and makes recommendations on steps for states to take to professionalize the field.
The brief will be available in December 2007 online at www.cal/org/caela/esl_resources/briefs.
