About CAL
Announcements
CAL American Dialect Recordings Now
Available Online
As part of the Library of Congress American Memory series, the CAL Collection of American English Dialect Recordings has been digitized and is now accessible online. This collection of interviews and other speech recordings, primarily from dialect research and oral history projects, provides a centralized source of North American dialect samples, preserving valuable linguistic resources that might otherwise be lost. The collection was donated by CAL to the Library of Congress in 1986 and has been accessible only by personal visit to the Library since then. Browse the Collection.
September 2009
FAQs About CAL SIOP Now Available
CAL has posted a list of answers to frequently asked questions about the SIOP Model, its implementation, and CAL SIOP services and resources. Learn more at the CAL SIOP Website.
August 2009
ONPAR - Computer-Based Test of Science and Math for Beginning English Language Learners
CAL is working with the WIDA Consortium to develop ONPAR, an alternative test that allows students to demonstrate their content knowledge with a test instrument sensitive to their lower proficiency in English. The ONPAR project has recently launched its own Web site. Learn more.
August 2009
Second CREATE Brief Available for Download
Response to Intervention and English Learners outlines the tiered structure of RTI and how it can be implemented as an effective technique for teaching English learners who are having difficulty making academic progress. It touches on methods of assessment and instructional considerations, and it guides educators in tailoring this technique to fit the needs of English learners. Learn more.
August 2009
Four New Profiles Added to the Heritage Voices Collection
The Alliance for the Advancement of Heritage Languages is continuing its new online series designed to allow heritage language speakers and programs to share their unique voices with visitors to our Web site. Visit the Alliance Web site to view four new Heritage Voices, including profiles of a French heritage language program in New York, a German program in Connecticut, and a Hindi one in New Jersey. The fourth profile spotlights the language of Hindi.
August 2009
A Navajo Success Story: Heritage Language Revitalization in Magdalena, New Mexico
In Magdalena, NM, students have been improving their English and Navajo language skills. Through an innovative bilingual model of heritage language revitalization, Navajo students can receive instruction in English as a second language and in Navajo language and culture.
Learn more about the program and read the report: English Language Acquisition and Navajo Achievement in Magdalena, New Mexico: Promising Outcomes in Heritage Language Education
August 2009
New CAELA Network Brief Available
Teaching Pronunciation to Adult English Language Learners
This brief reviews features of English that can have an impact on the teaching and learning of English pronunciation, looks at current research on learner acquisition of pronunciation, and describes how teachers can implement the teaching of pronunciation in their classes. Learn more.
July 2009
Assessment Training Online (ATOL)
CAL now offers a free online training course that teaches participants about oral proficiency assessment for students learning foreign languages at the secondary, post-secondary, and professional levels. It also serves as an introduction to CAL's SOPI and COPI assessments. Learn more.
July 2009
First CREATE Brief Available for Download
Using the SIOP Model to Improve Middle School Science Instruction provides an overview of the SIOP model and highlights how teachers can develop content and language objectives, emphasize key vocabulary, promote interaction, and incorporate effective review and assessment techniques within the context of middle school science. Learn more.
June 2009
New Paper Outlines Strategies for Building U.S. Foreign Language Capacity
This paper describes the need for skilled speakers of languages other than English in the U.S. and outlines the necessary components for an effective long-term national strategy to meet that need. Read the paper. (PDF, 590 KB)
June 2009
Two New Profiles Added to the Heritage Voices Collection
The Alliance for the Advancement of Heritage Languages is continuing its new online series designed to allow heritage language speakers and programs to share their unique voices with visitors to our Web site. Visit the Alliance Web site to view two new Heritage Voices profiles: one spotlighting a Chinese language program in Texas and another spotlighting the language of Tamil.
May 2009
Connect to Online Information about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
For your convenience, CAL has created a Web page with links to a wide variety of information about the ARRA of 2009. Learn more.
May 2009
TIRF Study Addresses Plurilingualism in Global Business
TIRF (The International Research Foundation for English Language Education) has published a study of the role of English and plurilingualism in business and industry entitled The Impact of English and Plurilingualism in Global Corporations. The findings show that language proficiency directly facilitates knowledge transfer and business performance. As a result, employers, especially in multinational corporations, highly value multilingual communication skills.
For a copy of the executive summary or to download a PDF of the full study, visit the TIRF Web site.
April 2009
CAL's 50th Anniversary recognized in Congressional Record
Read the remarks of Representative Rubén Hinojosa of Texas. 
April 2009
Researchers Urge Use of Stimulus Funds to Address the Needs of English Language Learners
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides an extraordinary opportunity to improve educational outcomes for English language learners (ELLs), a rapidly growing, yet underserved population. The Working Group on ELL Policy, a group of researchers with extensive experience in the education of ELL students, has prepared a set of recommendations designed to guide discussion and decision-making on how to use ARRA funds to better serve English language learners in schools across the United States. Read the full report.
March 2009
Quality Counts 2009: Portrait of a Population
How English-Language Learners Are Putting Schools to the Test
CAL worked with Education Week to create a downloadable PDF of selected articles from the recent Quality Counts 2009. This PDF features three articles from the report that reference CAL's work on the education of English language learners. Learn more.
March 2009
TIRF now accepting proposals for 2009 Doctoral Dissertation Grants (DDG)
The International Research Foundation for English Language Education (TIRF) welcomes Doctoral Dissertation Grant (DDG) proposals for 2009. For successful DDG proposals, US $5,000 is the maximum award.
This year Doctoral Dissertation Grant (DDG) proposal applications will be considered on any of the following research priorities topics:
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the age issue,
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the proficiency of English language teachers,
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technology in language learning and teaching,
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effective grammar instruction,
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bilingualism and plurilingualism in business and industry, and
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language assessment.
For full details on what these topics encompass and for information about submitting applications, please visit TIRF's website: www.tirfonline.org. The deadline for submitting a proposal is May 1, 2009.
February 2009
Heritage Voices Collection
Read our new online series designed to allow heritage language speakers and programs to share their unique voices with visitors to our Web site. Visit the Alliance Web site to view the initial offerings of the collection.
January 2009
2008-09 Online Survey for Middle and High School Newcomer Programs Available
Do you have a program for middle or high school newcomers? If you know of a program or have one and are willing to complete the survey so we can record information in our revised newcomer database, please fill out our online survey.
January 2009
2009 G. Richard Tucker Fellowship
Applications are now being accepted for the 2009 G. Richard Tucker Fellowship. Each year a new Tucker Fellow is selected for a 4-week residency at CAL's offices in Washington, DC. The application deadline is April 13, 2009. Learn more.
December 2008
Understanding Assessment: A Guide for Foreign Language Educators
CAL has developed an online tutorial designed to act as a companion piece to the FLAD, helping educators choose the most appropriate test for their needs. A Moderated User Review capability for the FLAD is also now available. Learn more.
November 2008
Introducing COPI -
the next generation of the SOPI
Now available in Arabic and Spanish, the Computerized Oral Proficiency Instrument (COPI) is a computer-based, semi-adaptive test of Arabic and Spanish oral proficiency. Learn more.
November 2008
National K-12 Foreign Language Survey Update
CAL conducted a national survey of public and private elementary and secondary schools to identify current patterns and shifts in foreign language education over time. Learn the latest news about the survey.
November 2008
Institutes on Teaching Reading to English Language Learners
CAL is offering four institutes in 2009 featuring our What's Different? professional development curriculum. The first Institute will be held in February 2009. Learn more or register now.
November 2008
TIRF Call for Proposals for the 2008 - 2009 Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships
TIRF (The International Research Foundation for English Language Education) is pleased to announce the opening of the 2008 - 2009 competition for the Sheikh Nahayan Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships.
These fellowships support doctoral candidates who have been advanced to candidacy, and whose research focuses on issues of specific relevance and importance to educators in the Arab world
The application deadline is midnight, Mountain Standard Time on Wednesday, January 28, 2009. Please visit TIRF's Web site for the specific research priorities and more information about applying.
October 2008
Register Now for Upcoming SOPA Online Training Courses
A Moderated Introduction to SOPA online course is set to begin in January 2009. A Rating the SOPA course is set to begin in February 2009. Learn more.
To see demo versions of these courses, visit CAL's Online Learning Center and log in with User ID: sopademo and Password: demo.
October 2008
CAL50 Anniversary Web Site Launched
CAL's 50th anniversary will be observed from October 2008 through
December 2009. We have created a special CAL50 Web site devoted to
information about CAL's history, new resources, and special anniversary
events. Learn more.
October 2008
CREDE Web Site Retooled
As part of our 50th anniversary activities, CAL has created an easy-to-use complete archive of information and resources that were developed as part of CAL's work with the Center for Research on Education, Diversity & Excellence (CREDE) from 1996–2004. Many of the resources, including research reports newly available as PDFs, can be downloaded for free. Visit the Web site.
October 2008
ERIC/CLL Resources Archive
For nearly 30 years, CAL housed the ERIC Clearinghouse on Languages and Linguistics (ERIC/CLL). As part of its 50th anniversary year efforts, CAL recently reorganized numerous ERIC/CLL resources to provide easy access to the variety of resources developed by ERIC/CLL, many of which are still relevant and useful today.
Visit the archived pages.
September 2008
Teaching Spanish to Native Spanish Speakers (SNS) Web Site Relaunched
The newly revamped and expanded SNS Web site provides information about the Spanish speaking population in the United States and resources for working with Spanish speakers in Spanish language programs. Visit the Web site.
September 2008
New Discover Languages Spotlight on Spanish
In support of the Discover Languages campaign, CAL presents Spotlight on Language, a regular Web series that focuses on specific languages and CAL's related work.
The fourth Spotlight on Language, Spanish, is available now.
August 2008
New CAELA Network Brief Now Online
A second CAELA Network brief, Facilitating Adult Learner Interactions to Build Listening and Speaking Skills, is now available online. The brief examines the research on learner interaction and summarizes the positive effects of classroom interaction on language learning. Read the brief online.
August 2008
New Overseas CO Program Highlight
This Program Highlight focuses on the provision of CO to Iranian religious minority refugees in Vienna, conducted by HIAS Vienna. It includes information on CO participants and their situation in Austria, as well as on the CO curriculum and considerations for domestic resettlement. Visit the COR Center Web site to learn more.
August 2008
BEST Literacy Technical Report Now Available
The BEST Literacy Technical Report has been released. This new technical report describes the development of BEST Literacy, including the field testing, equating, and standard setting studies. This report also provides technical information and results concerning the validity, reliability, and measurement precision of BEST Literacy. The BEST Literacy Technical Report is available in either PDF or print format. Learn more at the CAL Store.
July 2008
New CAELA Network Brief Now Online
The first CAELA Network brief, Working with Adult English Language Learners with Limited Literacy: Research, Practice, and Professional Development, is now available for free online. This brief focuses primarily on the needs of preliterate, non literate, and semiliterate learners. Read the brief on the CAELA Network Web site.
July 2008
New CO Overseas Program Highlight
This Program Highlight focuses on the CO program for West Africa, conducted by Church World Service at the Overseas Processing Entity in Accra. As with previous CO highlights, this covers caseload characteristics, information on the CO classes, and considerations for domestic service providers. Learn more at the COR Center Web site.
July 2008
CAL's SIOP Web Site Revamped
CAL has revised the SIOP Web site to provide easier access to information about research, projects, professional development services, and resources, such as publications, digests, and lesson plans. Learn more.
July 2008
Visit to the announcement archive to view past announcements from CAL.
