Indeed, let’s ask — as my friend Marjorie Faulstich Orellana has asked — What if we start thinking more carefully about multilingual contexts? They exist all over Missouri, and yet many continue to think of Missouri as a monolingual, English-speaking space, where we have “bilingual kids” or “English Language Learners” that need to learn English. But we’re more than that. We are communities — large and small — that use a whole range of languages and language varieties to communicate and work with each other. More and more school districts are thinking: how can we work in these multilingual contexts and support the development of our multilingual kids? Check out the latest newsletter from the Missouri Dual Language Network (MODLAN) to see what’s up regarding language education and opportunities in our state: http://eepurl.com/bZ0Zc1 You might also “like us” (lots!) on our FaceBook page or visit our website. Hasta luego!
AERA Presentation on Multilingual School Climates
Join colleagues and I on April 12 at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meetings, as we interrogate the climates of multi-language schools from the perspectives of students, parents, teachers, and administrators. Meeting AERA’s mission to promote research that improves education and serves the public good, we’ve put together a symposium that is designed for those interested in the culture and climate of multilingual schools: spaces where either students have multiple language backgrounds, or educational programs aim to develop bilingualism. Our symposium’s research presentations include views from diverse stakeholders who shape school climate and analysis of its key dimensions. The first two papers will explore the institutional environment and relationships at new language immersion schools, from children and parent perspectives; the next paper will examine how teachers can establish multilingual contexts for literacy learning in English-as-a-Second-Language and general-education classes, and the final one analyzes how school leaders ensure the welcome/safety of undocumented student populations. See you there!
MODLAN Website is Live
The Missouri Dual Language Network is proud to announce its new website: www.modlan.org! Check back often to find resources for (and about) the growing number of dual language, bilingual schools, training, and opportunities across our state. We are also proud to be partnering with the Cambio Center at the University of Missouri to write a series of “e-briefs” about dual language education. Here’s to supporting the development of a multilingual, integrated citizenry in 2016!
MODLAN Meets Again
On November 20-21, 2014, at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Dr. Kim Song, colleagues, and I will host “Bridges to Dual Language Learning.” English language and bilingual teachers from across the state will have opportunities to visit The Spanish School (www.sllis.org) and join a series of workshops:
- Dual Language Immersion Models and Reading Strategies (Marisela Rodriguez, American Reading Company)
- Dual Language Immersion for Academic Achievement (Griselda Pirtle, ELL Director, CCSD59, Illinois)
- Effective Language Learning Strategies
- Biliteracy and ELLs’ Academic Language Learning
-
Immigrant Family Lives and Schools’ Responsibilities: From Federal to Local Policies
- Co-teaching and Online Coaching for Transforming Teachers of Linguistically Diverse Students
JOIN US! For more information, please email coppersmiths @ umsl.edu.
Cambio de Colores Conference
In June 2015, colleagues and I joined together at the annual Cambio de Colores conference. New this year: an entire ‘track’ of presentations on dual language and English Learners (EL) education. I was especially excited to be part of a panel discussing the development and challenges of dual language programs in Kansas City and Carthage, Missouri and community bilingual outreach at libraries in Springfield. There is great work happening – and great needs – across the state. Join us to discuss the “cambiodecolores.org” – Change of Colors – in Missouri and the Midwest.