Language & Cultural Services
LCS Bulletin - October 3, 2016
Happy World Teachers' Day - October 5th!
What is the Difference between Academic and Social English?
Social English is the language of everyday communication in oral and written forms.
Examples include:
- when your students are talking to their friends on the playground or in the school bus
- when you and your students are having an informal face-to-face conversation
- when your students go to the grocery store and read the shopping list
ELLs' social English may start developing within a few months. However, it will likely take a couple of years before ELLs fully develop social English skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Academic English and social English are not two separate languages. Academic English is more demanding and complex than social English. An ELL student with social English proficiency may not necessarily have the academic English proficiency. It is important for you, the teacher, to make this distinction. Academic English is the language necessary for success in school. It is related to a standards-based curriculum, including the content areas of math, science, social studies, and English language arts.
Why is it important for ELs to develop academic English?
How can I identify my ELs' level of English language proficiency?
What can I do to help my students develop both social and academic English?
WIDA Educator Resources
The WIDA Educator Resources team has developed a variety of resources to support educators who serve language learners in PreKindergarten through 12th grade including focus bulletins, RtI resources, featured videos, lesson plan share space, and professional learning modules. The resources:
- are accessible at any-time
- leverage diverse learning formats
- expand the range of learning topics available to educators
- contain research-based information and practical tools for immediate use in schools
- empower educators to collaborate and share information and ideas (e.g., in professional learning communities, local professional development, or online)
- celebrate the many assets that educators, learners, and families contribute to their learning communities
Check out the WIDA educator resources available here.
UCO is Recipient of USDE Award to support Educators of ELs
U.S. Department of Education Awards $22 Million to Support Educators of ELs. The Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) announced the awarding of $22,062,647 in grants under the National Professional Development Program to support educators of ELs. “These grants are a smart investment in biliteracy, early learning, family and community engagement, and expanding professional development for educators working to meet the needs of English Learner students,” said U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. “With this funding, we continue to deliver on our promise of equity, excellence, and opportunity in supporting educators, students, and families across the country.”
Free School: Excellent YouTube Channel for Teachers and Students
by Larry Ferlazzo
Free School publishes very good short educational YouTube videos twice each week. The narration is at a reasonable clip, and it has good subtitles, as well.
You can see the screenshot at the top of this post to get an idea of their broad playlists.
Here’s their latest video – on The Great Wall of China (which I’m adding to our World History class blog).
Webinar: Back to School with ReadyRosie
Time: 3:30pm to 4:30pm
The beginning of the school year is a great time to plan out your family engagement strategies for this school year. Join us for this webinar, October 5th 3:30 pm CST, to hear about the latest updates from ReadyRosie and ideas on how you can best implement ReadyRosie in your school and community. Click here to sign up!
Webinar: Cultivating Oral Language and Literacy Talent in Young English Learners
Time: 3:00pm to 4:00pm
In this webinar, you will learn about Cultivating Oral Language and Literacy Talent in Students (COLLTS), an approach created by Dr. Diane August and a team of AIR experts with decades of experience in developing research-based effective literacy interventions for EL students. COLLTS uses engaging vocabulary routines, shared interactive reading of high-quality children’s books, and the language experience approach to support ELs’ language acquisition.
In this introductory 1-hour webinar, participants will learn about the fundamentals of the COLLTS approach. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in a discussion about implications and implementation.
Three Secrets You Need to Know about the English Language
Reminder: OCR Language Assistance Services Training for SY 2016-2017
Reminder: OCR Interpreter and Translator Skill Building Training for SY 2016-2017
Training for interpreters and translators is required annually per the district's resolution agreement with the Office of Civil Rights regarding language assistance services.
Training for new interpreters and translators is hosted at Wilson Teaching and Learning Academy monthly. The in-person training schedule and registration information is posted in Edivate. Training for new interpreters and translators must be completed within four weeks of their testing appointment. Testing for new interpreters and translators can be scheduled by emailing a testing appointment request to languageassistance@tulsaschools.org.
Training for continuing interpreters and translators is available in a video format on Edivate. Training for continuing interpreters and translators must be completed by October 1st, 2016. Training may only be completed through the course in Edivate and course completion will only be recorded for those who register for the course using the course registration code located in the registration guide. We have created a step-by-step registration guide for the online training course in Edivate.
Please contact the Palmira Saldivar or Zaida Kepford, languageassistance@tulsaschools.org, with any related questions.
Reminder: Oklahoma Association for Bilingual Education Fall 2016 Conference: Registration & Call for Presenters
To submit a presentation proposal, please complete this form and email it to Kelly Forbes, president of OABE, by October 14th, 2016.
The Office of Language and Cultural Services will provide funding for conference registration and mileage for any Tulsa Public Schools staff member wishing to attend. Please complete and submit a PS10 and registration form to Laura Grisso by October 10th, 2016.
Missed a Department Meeting?
Elementary ELD Department Meetings
Language & Cultural Services Events
October 6, 2:30pm - Interpreter and Translator Training (Edivate)
October 7, 8:30am - ELD Teacher Institute (Elementary & Secondary) at Thoreau Demonstration Academy
October 7, 8:30am - Spanish Language Arts (Elementary) at Zarrow International Elementary
October 8, 9:00am - SIOP Saturday: Building Background
All events are listed in MyLearningPlan unless otherwise noted. Please pre-register and verify session location in MLP.
Check out the Language & Cultural Services events calendar for future events.