| Career and Technical Education Month |
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February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, dedicated to recognizing the benefits of CTE and celebrating the achievements of CTE programs nationwide. These programs provide multilingual learners (MLs) with real-world opportunities to explore, engage in, and pursue rewarding careers.
OELA’s Preparing K–12 Multilingual Learners for Postsecondary Education and Career is available on our resources page. The infographic is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese. |
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| National School Counseling Week |
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National School Counseling Week, February 5–9, highlights the unique contributions of school counselors within U.S. school systems and their tremendous impact on student success. We appreciate all the work that school counselors do to support students in our school systems.
Watch OELA’s Information ELevated to learn more about ELs and their access to educators and support staff, including school counselors. |
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On February 19 from 5-6 p.m. ET, TESOL invites all those who serve, work with, or want to learn more about newcomers to a FREE panel presentation, providing a variety of background, resources, challenges, and opportunities in supporting newcomers. Featured panelists include:
- Montserrat Garibay, OELA Assistant Deputy Secretary & Director
- Beatriz Ceja, OELA Deputy Assistant Secretary
- Gwen Snow, Principal, Newcomer Academy, JCPS (Louisville KY)
- Connie Banks, ESOL Instructional Coach/Teacher
- Stacy Brown, Director, Refugees Forward (Oklahoma City Metro Area)
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| The CABE 2024 Annual Conference is a 4-day event scheduled to take place in Anaheim, CA, with a theme of “Strength in Unity: Embracing the Tapestry of Our Diversity, Cultivating Our Heritage, & Celebrating Our Multilingualism.” CABE 2024 offers 40+ speakers, 300+ workshops and events, and 125+ exhibitors. |
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| Connect, learn, and recharge at the ultimate event for English language teaching (ELT) professionals. You’ll have the incredible opportunity to meet and connect with ELT colleagues from all over the world. You will also have access to 800+ educational sessions, three captivating keynote addresses, and 60+ exhibiting companies. Lock in advance savings by registering by February 15, 2024. |
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| Join the National Association of English Learner Program Administrators (NAELPA) for the 2024 Hybrid Conference. The theme of this year’s conference is “Leading Change in Multilingual Education.” In addition to the virtual offerings, the in-person conference will be March 26–27 in New Orleans in conjunction with the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) Conference. The NAELPA conference includes keynote presentations from Dr. Jessica Costa and Crystal Gonzales as well as ED and OELA. |
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March 28–30
NABE 2024 Conference
Conference
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| The NABE Annual Int’l Conference is a 3-day event scheduled to be held in New Orleans from March 28–30. The conference will include educational sessions, inspiring keynote speakers, award competitions, and networking opportunities. Attendees can also register for School Visits on March 26 and the Pre-Conference Day on March 27. Online registration is available through February 29, 2024. For attendee registration and general conference information, you can contact mconf.reg.nabe@gmail.com. |
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| Join the global community of English language professionals for the virtual TESOL 2024 Convention and English Language Expo on April 11–12. You’ll gain exclusive access to recordings of the three keynotes from the in-person convention as well as 200+ pre-recorded virtual sessions. Please note that the virtual sessions are different from those that were presented in Tampa at the in-person convention. |
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| The In-Person Conference is scheduled at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Brunswick from May 29–31. Register for 1, 2, or all 3 days and take advantage of networking opportunities with colleagues. Stay updated on state and national initiatives, and don’t miss the chance to explore the latest teaching tools by visiting the representatives at the sponsor and exhibitor booths.
Presentation topics will include General Interest, Content Area Instruction, Bilingual/ESL Pre-K through 12, Higher Ed, and more. All registrations include 1 free year of NJTESOL/NJBE membership. |
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| Mark your calendar for June 5–7 for the Cambio de Colores Annual Conference. This year’s theme, “Sparking Change, Integration, and Deep Connections,” renews our call to action and commitment to learning alongside leaders and experts from our changing communities. This professional development opportunity is an excellent chance for bilingual educators, counselors, and school district leaders who aim to create welcoming communities for newcomers to learn from each other. |
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October 15–18
WIDA Annual Conference
Conference
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| The WIDA Annual Conference is the premier event for educators of pre-K through Grade 12 MLs, giving educators from around the globe the opportunity to share best practices and discover innovative classroom strategies. The in-person conference will take place October 15–18, 2024, in Pittsburgh, PA. A curated virtual track will also be available. |
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| Missoulian
4 College Campuses Receive $500K to Boost Foreign Language Studies in Eastern Montana
An effort to expand opportunities to study international relations and foreign languages in eastern Montana is now supported by a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education. This funding makes possible the creation of the Yellowstone Consortium of International Studies and Foreign Languages. It will serve as an academic hub in a region that, until now, has offered only limited opportunities for undergraduate students to pursue these fields of study. Beyond language, the grant will fund a global studies seminar on one of the five consortium members’ campuses each semester and finance faculty travel and professional development. |
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| Source NM
Proposed Bill Would Give Tribes More Control Over Language Programs
Lawmakers are trying once again to create a trust fund that would give New Mexico tribes more money and control to run their own educational programs. The proposed legislation would create a $100 million Tribal Education Trust Fund that would disburse money directly to tribes over time to help build sustainable programs. This proposed bill can help sustain the Pueblo of Acoma community and could help pay community members to teach the Keres language. |
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| Chalkbeat
A Glitch Blocks Thousands of Immigrant Families from a New, Simpler FAFSA. The Fix is TBD.
The new, streamlined Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) was designed for easier completion by directly pulling tax information from the IRS. However, released months later than usual, it has caused time constraints for students. Glitches, especially affecting parents without a Social Security number, could impact tens of thousands of eligible U.S. citizen students. Education advocates say there needs to be a stronger sense of urgency to resolve the issue, as some colleges award aid on a first-come, first-served basis. |
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| National Center on Intensive Intervention
NEW RESOURCE: Multi-Tiered System of Supports for Multilingual Learners: Using Culturally and Linguistically Aligned Practices
This brief highlights how to use culturally and linguistically aligned (CLA) strategies to support MLs within a multi-tiered system of supports framework, including how to use a CLA lens to inform instructional adaptations for MLs who require intensive intervention. The brief reviews the use of the CLA lens when considering instruction and intervention provided through a multilevel prevention system, data-based decision-making, screening, and progress monitoring. |
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| Education Week
TIPS FOR EDUCATORS: English Learners Need Equal Access to Rich Texts. How One School Makes That Happen
EL students need extra support and specialized instruction to build their English language skills but also need access to the same rich reading instruction that native English speakers do. The Beacon College Preparatory Charter School has adopted a knowledge-building curriculum: a program that organizes reading comprehension instruction around conceptually connected topics with the goal of systematically growing students’ understanding of the world. This article features a conversation with the school’s coordinator for an EL program on how co-teaching works at her school, what ELs need from reading comprehension instruction, and what advice she has for other educators who might want to adopt the model. |
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| CAL Solutions: Teaching Reading to Students Learning English: Direct Strategies
Join the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) for a 3-day, hybrid Direct Strategies Institute based on CAL’s widely used “What’s Different About Teaching Reading to Students Learning English?” professional development program. The engaging 3-day synchronous and asynchronous institute on February 14, 21, and 28, 2024, is designed for school administrators and classroom, ESL, and literacy teachers who want to ensure reading progress for ELs. |
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| Building on the Cultural and Background Knowledge of English Learners in Classrooms and Counseling Groups
This course aims to empower all school staff by providing insights into resources such as picture books, videos, and websites that reflect diverse cultures. It focuses on building on the background knowledge of ELs and offers strategies to engage ELs and all students. Participants of this course on February 20–24, 2024, will learn effective approaches to support language development and facilitate academic as well as social/emotional learning. Register by February 13, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. EST to secure your spot. |
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| WIDA Español Academy: Afirmando la experiencia bilingüe con el Marco DALE
In this 2-day WIDA Español Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico, educators link the pedagogical foundations of Marco de los estándares del desarrollo auténtico del lenguaje español de WIDA (Marco DALE) to the instruction of bi/multilingual students. Day two features a local school visit to observe pedagogical foundations like multiliteracies and transculturalism in action within a dual language or bilingual education program. This academy will be delivered in Spanish. Register by February 23, 2024. |
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| Universidad de Alcalá Teach & Learn in Spain Graduate Program
Teach & Learn in Spain is a graduate program designed for native or near-native English speakers. Through the program, students earn a Master’s Degree while gaining experience in a school in the Madrid region as a language assistant. The application period will be open from January 10, 2024, to March 20, 2024. The program begins on September 1, 2024, and concludes on July 1, 2025. For further inquiries, please contact Angela Sauciuc, Director of Programs and Teacher Training, at angela.sauciuc@institutofranklin. |
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| Blog: Secretary Cardona’s Letter on English Learner Resources |
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In November 2023, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona released a letter emphasizing the “Raise the Bar: Lead the World” initiative. Read this blog to get a brief overview and access links to the full letter in both English and Spanish. The letter includes several resources from the U.S. Department of Education on how to support ELs. |
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by Monday, February 12, 2024, for inclusion in the next edition of Nexus.
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National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA)
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Disclaimer: NCELA Nexus is intended to share information that can be of use to educators, parents, learners, leaders, and other stakeholders in their efforts to ensure that every student, including ELs, is provided with the highest quality education and expanded opportunities to succeed. The information and materials presented on NCELA Nexus do not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by NCELA, the Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA), or the U.S. Department of Education.
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