English Language Learners

Second Language Acquisition

An understanding of how students acquire a second language is crucial for the effective teaching of English language learners (ELLs). Teachers of ELLs need to know about the particular challenges and opportunities ELLs face as they learn English and content knowledge at the same time, so that they may prepare instruction that supports ELLs' language development and enables ELLs to access the curriculum.

Using professional development curricula based on the best available research, we develop teachers' knowledge of the process of second language acquisition and its implications for curriculum and instruction. In addition, our specialists help teachers acquire the knowledge and skills to implement research-based instructional practices, such as Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP), to raise the achievement of ELLs.