Spotlight

Conference Update
CAL will be presenting and exhibiting at the AAAL conference this month.

AAAL 2013 Conference
March 16-19, 2012
Dallas, TX

Look for our table at AAAL.

View CAL staff presentations at AAAL 2013.

TESOL 2013 International Convention & English Language Expo
March 20-23, 2013
Dallas, TX

Visit us at booth #404.

View CAL staff presentations at TESOL 2013.

Institutes on Teaching Reading to English Language Learners–Summer 2012
CAL’s experienced staff specializes in using research-based, effective practices to improve educational outcomes for preK-12 English language learners. Spend 3 days in Washington, DC, at one of our What’s Different About Teaching Reading to Students Learning English? institutes. We can also work with you to offer these and other services at your location.

Visit our website to learn more and register.

Introducing CAL's Hot Topics in ELL Education Professional Development Series

CAL is pleased to introduce Hot Topics in ELL Education, our new professional development series designed to address critical issues in ELL education. Each workshop uses authentic classroom videos and a workbook with practical strategies for teachers to help English language learners succeed in the classroom. The first offering in the series is Listening and Speaking: Oral Language and Vocabulary Development. Learn more.

Hot Topics in ELL Education–Summer 2012 Institute

Join CAL's experienced professional development staff in Washington, DC for 3 days focused on three key issues facing educators working with English language learners. Hot topics featured in our summer 2012 institute will include oral language proficiency, academic language, and sheltering math and science instruction.

Using the SIOP Model–Professional Development Services From CAL
CAL collaborates with schools and districts to design and conduct SIOP professional development programs that meet their particular needs. Informed by CAL's ongoing research, our experienced CAL SIOP team can provide a range of services, including SIOP workshops, coaching, site visits, and technical assistance, to create a sustainable SIOP professional development plan. CAL also offers professional development in the SIOP Model for adult language learners.
Visit our website to learn more.

Tools for Assessing and Rating Oral Proficiency

COPI: A Computer-Based Test of Oral Proficiency Available in Modern Standard Arabic and Spanish
CAL developed the Computerized Oral Proficiency Instrument (COPI) as an alternative to the audiotape-mediated Simulated Oral Proficiency Interview (SOPI). The COPI is a computer-based, semi-adaptive test of Modern Standard Arabic or Spanish oral proficiency intended for high school juniors and seniors, college students, and professionals. Learn more.

Multimedia Rater Training Program (MRTP) Available in Three Languages
The MRTP is an interactive software program designed to teach professionals to rate oral language proficiency in French, German, and Spanish. Learn more.

Directory of Foreign Language Immersion Programs in U.S. Schools: Update

CAL has updated this comprehensive directory of elementary, middle, and high schools that teach all or part of their curriculum through a second language. In general, these programs are designed for students whose first language is English. The directory was first compiled by CAL in 1981 and has been updated many times since then. We invite you to browse the current directory, which includes 22 languages and more than 400 schools. Access the online directory.

Using the SIOP Model: Professional Development Manual for Sheltered Instruction, 2nd Edition
This updated and expanded professional development manual is designed to assist teacher educators, staff developers, and leaders at the school, district, and state levels as they prepare teachers of English language learners to use the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) Model or its adapted version, the Two-Way SIOP Model. By incorporating these instructional models in their classroom, teachers can improve the language proficiency and grade-level content knowledge of their linguistically and culturally diverse students. Learn more.

Guiding Principles for Dual Language Education, 2^nd Edition
Grounded in evidence from research and best practices, the guiding principles described in this CAL publication were developed to help dual language programs with planning and ongoing implementation. Learn more.

Redesigning English-Medium Classrooms: Using Research to Enhance English Learner Achievement
This book describes practical applications of the research reviewed in the publication, Improving Education for English Learners: Research-Based Approaches, also published by the California Department of Education. It includes descriptions of program models, delivery of standards-based instructional services, and approaches to enhancing core learning components (e.g., cooperative learning and global learning networks, and augmented/extended instruction). Learn more.

New Website for English for Heritage Language Speakers
CAL, working with its partner Georgetown University, has developed and launched a new logo and website for the English for Heritage Language Speakers Program. The new site brings together the material that was contained in the earlier CAL EHLS and Georgetown EHLS sites, presenting everything in an easy-to-navigate format designed to appeal to potential applicants to the program. The launch is timely, since recruiting for the 2013 program iteration has just begun. Visit the new EHLS website.

TIRF 2012 Doctoral Dissertation Grants Competition Announced
The International Research Foundation for English Language Education – is seeking applications from qualified doctoral candidates for proposals related to TIRF's research priorities. Awards are funded up to $5,000 and are open to students in doctoral programs from around the world. The deadline is May 14, 2012. To learn more, visit the TIRF website.