Press Releases

CAL Opens New Center for Adult English Language Acquisition

Washington , DC . December 14, 2004. The Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) is pleased to announce the opening of CAELA, the Center for Adult English Language Acquisition. CAELA’s mission is to help states that have recently begun serving adult English language learners build their capacity to improve the skills of teachers and administrators in adult English as a second language (ESL) programs. This, in turn, will help promote the success of the learners. CAELA will also make research findings and research-based resources available to practitioners working with adult English language learners across the nation. CAELA will replace the National Center for ESL Literacy Education (NCLE), which was operated by CAL from 1989 to 2004 and provided technical assistance to all who work with adult English language learners.

 

The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, funds the operation of CAELA. CAELA staff at CAL work with their partners—Abt Associates, American Institutes for Research (AIR), and World Education/National Center for Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL)—to increase the capacity of states to provide technical assistance to teachers of adult English language learners. CAELA activities include

 

• Holding regional capacity-building workshops for state teams of ESL professionals
• Developing a toolkit of training materials for state trainers
• Providing ongoing technical assistance to states through multiple strategies that include distance learning, mentoring, and study groups
• Disseminating research-based information and resources to all states regarding effective English language instruction for adults, including curricula, program standards, reports, and findings from research that have been collected or published by CAELA
• Maintaining a Web site where research documents, information on professional development activities and opportunities, training materials, and links to other useful Web sites will assist practitioners as they seek to improve their practice
• Maintaining a listserv for adult ESL practitioners

 

For more information, visit CAELA online at cal-org.wdi.net/caela.

 

CONTACT:
Miriam Burt, Associate Director, CAELA Susan Gilson, Media Relations

202-362-0700, x256 202-362-0700, x293

miriam@cal.org sgilson@cal.org

Click here for a pdf copy of this press release.