Preparing the Way

Preparing the Way: Teaching ELs in the Pre-K-12 Classroom, now in its 4th edition, provides a reader-friendly experience for teacher preparation programs and school district workshops in five main areas: 1) ESOL Federal and State Legislation; 2) Cultural Proficiency, Diversity, and Equity; 3) Fundamentals of Applied Linguistics; 4) Theories of Second Language Learning; and 5) ESOL Testing and Evaluation. Presented in the context of classroom scenarios in Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, and Ohio, ALL educators find practical applications they can use in the real world of instruction. Ancillary materials are provided at ESOLinHigherEd.org. Although English learners (ELs) continue to be the fastest-growing population in U.S. schools, there is insufficient ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) training available for teachers and administrators. Here, twelve authors with vast years of TESOL experience examine the challenges and rewards faced by ELs and their classroom teachers. Based on personal knowledge and research, the authors share tangible approaches to understanding such critical topics as: the legal foundations of ESOL; cultural respect and awareness; a practical examination of the structure of the English language; relationships between theory and lesson planning; insights into special populations, such as SLIFE, ELs with learning disabilities, bilingual students, and gifted ELs; and classroom-based, standardized, and language proficiency assessments. This NEW edition includes 65 engaging activities for teacher training purposes along with an examination of WIDA resources and links. Each chapter begins with literacy activities to model proven teaching approaches and includes first-person accounts to support social and academic language development. The authors have enthusiastically collaborated to inspire educators to make instructional decisions for ELs, and to guide teachers, administrators, and support staff who lead this effort. It is a must-read for all educators and a resourceful text for ESOL trainings.