New Website: materials for English Language Learners

Posted by on August 12, 2005

[posted from Public Education Network newsblast]

RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is pleased to announce its first instructional materials targeted especially to educators of Spanish-speaking English language learners (ELLs). Schools around the country are struggling to serve their ever-growing Latino ELL student population and educators need access to more resources to help their ELLs succeed. In 1991 there were 2.4 school-age ELLs. In 2005, ELLs account for approximately 6 million Pre-K-12 students, 80 percent of whom are Latino. Furthermore, since Latino ELLs have some of the lowest academic achievement and educational attainment levels in the country the need for instructional help is even more urgent The words “Color?n Colorado” are significant because they are part of the popular and playful ending phrase to virtually all children?s stories and fairy tales in Spanish-speaking countries. There is no literal translation, but it is similar to “and they lived happily ever after.” The name brings happy memories of reading and being read to. The website features: best instructional practices for teaching reading and content; strategies regarding the appropriate placement and assessment of English language learners; a toolkit on effective outreach to Hispanic families; bilingual (Spanish-English) information for parents on how to help their child succeed in school; Plus more practical, research-based information on how to help English language learners read and succeed!

http://www.colorincolorado.org