Bridging the Gap for English Language Learners

The Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) is providing Bridging the Gap for Adult English Language Learners in order to enable participating teachers to increase their ability to promote essential academic and work readiness skills in their adult students.

The program will consist of two face-to-face one-day workshops plus online interaction, as follows:

Workshop, October 26, 2012

This workshop will focus on the topic of bridging the gap between the language and skills practiced in ESL and ABE programs and the language and skills needed in postsecondary education and in the workforce. By the end of the workshop participants will be able to
• Describe the language and skills needed for postsecondary education and workforce preparation, including focus on accuracy and careful use of language; ability to do appropriate reading and genre-based writing; acquisition of vocabulary used in academia and in the workplace; and ability to think conceptually and critically.
• Identify sources for research-based principles and activities that help students acquire these skills, including authentic post-secondary and workforce materials.
• Describe strategies they can use to meet the needs of their learners and their instructional contexts.

Online Forum, January- February 2013

CAL will facilitate up to four hours of online discussion with the workshop participants in a forum to be hosted by the Finger Lakes RAEN. During this online forum, the participants will do the following:
• Report on progress made in using evidence-based resources and information in their individual instructional contexts in order to help adult English language learners transition to further study or work
• Receive assistance from the CAL facilitator and one another as they try out strategies and activities to help their learners transition to further study or work. This assistance may take the form of discussing readings, linking to additional resources, or learning about new research in the area. Note: Resources to be highlighted and additional technical assistance to be supplied to the participants during the forum will be discussed with participants during the initial training, and final decisions on the content of the resources and assistance will be made after that.

Workshop, May 17,(tentative date) 2013

The CAL facilitator will return to the Finger Lakes RAEN to provide an additional full day of training on preparing adult English language learner to transition to further study or to work. During this training the facilitator will work with the 12-20 participants as they do the following:
• Present their successes and challenges in implementing strategies and processes from the initial training
• Brainstorm possible strategies to address the challenges
• Explore additional research and strategies for bridging the gap with adult English language learners

 When you register now, you will register for the workshop on October 26, 2012.