Sessions

Re-envisioning Leveled Reading Instruction

As instructors, we all work with English learners with diverse language proficiencies, prior experiences, and resources. Reading instruction no longer involves all students reading the same text at the same time at the same level, progressing at the same rate. Therefore, existing reading mandates, curricula, and materials may be inadequate to meet the needs of the actual learners in a class. This presentation shares varied free digital resources for accessing levelled texts that can be used online or printed out, as well as reading level assessments and interactive comprehension activities. These tools used together can give teachers the capability to identify learners’ present English reading levels, provide learners with language input at their instructional level, guide learners in choosing independent reading materials at their instructional level, and track learner reading growth over time. Participants can expect to engage digitally throughout the presentation, using platforms including PollEv, Padlet, and Kahoot!

Vocabulary Instruction to Meet the Needs of All English Learners

This presentation discusses principles of effective, relevant, and appropriate vocabulary instruction that can be used in face-to-face or online instruction. In determining which vocabulary to select for instruction, it is important to select items that will most benefit learners, including high-frequency, academic, and specialized content-area words. Instructional methods that intentionally incorporate repeated exposure to new information in verbal, visual, and spatial forms develop learners’ ability to memorize, store, process, and use vocabulary information needed to complete complex instructional activities in English. When students have opportunities to learn and practice different vocabulary routines, they are then able to take ownership of those that work best for them in their own student-led learning. A variety of such vocabulary activities that can be applied to diverse English language teaching contexts are shared in this presentation. Participants should expect to engage digitally during the presentation, using platforms including PollEv, BINGO Baker, and Kahoot!