NABE 2026 Conference Presentation: From Support to Soar: Decreasing Scaffolds to Accelerate Academic Language

Event: NABE Conference 2026
Location: Room E259
Date & Time: February 11, 2026 | 1:20 PM – 2:40 PM
Session Format: Presentation
Presenter(s):

Maria Cieslak (Center for Applied Linguistics)

Description:
What if the key to language acceleration isn’t adding more support, but strategically taking it away? Join us for an energizing session that flips the script on scaffolding. Discover how purposeful de-scaffolding empowers multilingual learners to take ownership of academic language and thrive in rigorous content. Through real classroom examples, interactive strategies, and practical tools, you’ll explore how to gradually release responsibility, boost student agency, and elevate academic discourse. Let’s shift from support-heavy to student-driven – and watch language soar!