About CAL
Announcements
NCELA Webinar: Implementing Professional Development for Content Area Teachers with ELLs
CAL Research Associate, Jennifer Himmel, provided an overview of the SIOP Model and presented ways in which the model is being effectively implemented to help ELLs succeed in the content area classroom.
December 2009
CAL Releases Results From National K-12 Foreign Language Survey
Cal has released the results of the national survey of foreign language instruction in public and private elementary and secondary schools. Foreign Language Teaching in U.S. Schools: Results of a National Survey is now available. Visit the project web page to read about the survey, download an executive summary, and order a copy.
November 2009
Teaching Reading to English Language Learner-Institutes Set for 2010
In response to growing requests from K-8 educators for training materials on teaching reading to English language learners, CAL will offer four institutes in Washington, DC, in 2010. Learn more or register.
October 2009
New Web Site Launched on Early Language Assessments
CAL has launched a new web site that focuses on language proficiency resources in Grades K-8. The web site also highlights the online training courses that teach participants how to administer and rate students' oral language using the SOPA Oral Proficiency Assessment (SOPA). Learn more at the ELA web site.
October 2009
From Spanish to English: Reading and Writing for English Language Learners Kindergarten Through Third Grade now available from CAL
This book and two companion CDs were developed to help ease the challenge of teaching English language learners in Grades K-3 to read and write in English by providing real-life examples, analyses, and instructional strategies. Learn more about these materials.
October 2009
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 web site.
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 web site: 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
Visit to the announcement archive to view past announcements from CAL.
