Language & Cultural Services
LCS Bulletin - September 26, 2016
A Strengths-based Approach to Teaching English Learners
by Laura Lenz
Close your eyes.
Imagine a school where we focused on the strengths of English language learners. What if these students’ cultures, languages, countries of origin, unique skills, and life experiences were held up as assets?
Let’s decide this school year to focus more on these strengths and assets and the unique potential of our English learners. What brilliance might be unleashed? What confidence might be built? What might non-ESL* students learn from the ESLs?
This would be a change in the way we view our English learners as well as a shift in how we view the very nature of teaching. The basis of teaching is to teach students what they don’t know. We’re trained to look for gaps in knowledge. We’re the teachers, the experts, the givers of information.
At the beginning of the school year, most teachers will be asked to look at data from state tests. Tests that focus on who is proficient and who is not proficient. We will identify gaps and deficiencies. Of course, this analysis has its place, and we need to know where students are struggling. However, we can also stimulate growth by capitalizing on existing strengths.
A few years ago, I was on an interview committee for the ESL coordinator in our district. The individual who eventually got the job kept talking about the very principles I have outlined in this article. He believed that the English learners could be the stars of the school district. I had never heard anyone express this sentiment quite that passionately and forcefully, and I immediately knew that what he was saying held enormous value. I believe in his vision, and it’s my vision too.
Here are some suggestions for making this shift in how we work with our English learners this year.
Teacher Resources for Hispanic Heritage Month
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the Tulsa City-County Library
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Tulsa City-County Library during a series of free family events honoring the colorful traditions of the Hispanic culture.
The annual event is coordinated by TCCL’s Hispanic Resource Center, located at the Martin Regional Library, 2601 S. Garnett Road. The design of the Hispanic Resource Center is to provide cultural, informational and educational resources, as well as activities and services for both Spanish- and English-speaking families. The center was established to meet the educational and cultural need of Tulsa County’s growing Hispanic community.
New Feature: Recommend Activities to Classroom Teachers
Sure, you know how to access a student’s goals or view student history in Ellevation. You even know how to reclassify students and manage your monitoring process online. But did you know you can recommend an instructional activity for teachers to use with a particular English Language Learner?
Here’s how it works:
- Think about one of your students, and visit his or her profile in Ellevation. Review relevant information and consider the types of language instruction that would most benefit this student.
- Visit the Instruction tab and browse activities by domain, keyword, or strategy. You can even preview activities from the same page.
- Once you’ve decided on an activity, or multiple activities, simply comment and recommend.
Sometimes all it takes is a little nudge--and guidance--from someone else to get started.
OCR Language Assistance Services Training for SY 2016-2017
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.
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.
Webinar: Providing Meaningful Access to All Curricular and Extracurricular Programs
Time: 2:00pm to 3:00pm
This is the next open session in a monthly, year-long series that focuses on the issues addressed in the Dear Colleague Letter on ELs published in January 2015 by the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, and the U.S. Department of Justice. The series will also cover material provided in the EL Tool Kit published by OELA, and has been updated to include ESSA requirements. [Register now for open sessions in coming months; slots are filling up!]
Missed a Department Meeting?
Elementary ELD Department Meetings
Language & Cultural Services Events
September 26, 9:00am - Interpreter and Translator Training (Edivate)
September 29, 3:30pm - ReadyRosie & Bringing Up Training
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.