Course objectives

• You will be able to define academic language and explain why it is important for all learners.
• You will explore English proficiency assessment scores and how to use them as a resource in planning lessons.
• You will analyze what is involved in creating a classroom and school environment that encourages simultaneous language and content learning.
• You'll view and practice various teaching strategies and classroom practices that make content more accessible to English learners.

Course Modules

Module 1: We will discuss what Academic Language is and why it matters. We'll give you foundations for understanding the developmental nature of language and how you can help language proficiency grow amongst your English learners. 

Module 2: Together we will help you craft a language rich and language focused classroom. All your students will benefit from these steps. 

Module 3: We'll dive into Thinking Verbs and strategies for building up vocabulary. 

Module 4: Now we'll deepen our strategies as we move to the sentence level, and learn how to help English learners construct and grow their own sentences. 

Module 5: It all comes together for English learners as you foster a classroom full of opportunities for discourse. We'll discuss how to make that happen through slight modifications in your lessons. The integration of discourse will boost their engagement levels. 

Module 6: Our final module will give you the essential actions for a language focused classroom that grows with your students.