Silvestre Hernandez, Gabriel Ramirez and Sonia Granado wrote about their experiences and successes as adult learners in CISD’s English as a Second Language program.

“Stories written by adult education students are a regular feature of the TCALL Quarterly,” said Adult Education Director Barbara Yoder. “This was our first time to submit student work, and for their stories to be selected is a big deal for a small program like ours. We are so excited to see their essays in print. They get a small stipend, too. I credit our teachers for really making students’ goals important in their classroom instruction.” (more…)

In a 5-4 decision, The Supreme Court ruled to dismiss the case of Horne v. Flores, but remanded the case to Federal court. The case of Horne, a 17 year-old case originating from the State of Arizona, attempts to sort out how much a state is responsible for management and funding of English instructional programs and federal acts.

Alleging a violation of the federal act called The Equal Education Opportunities Act of 1974, the mother of an English as a Second Language Student (ESL) sued the school board and school district for its failure to take “appropriate action” under this federal Act. (more…)

Alcinda Da Cruz used to be a full time machine repairer in a factory from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every weekday, as well as a part time dish washer and cook at a nursing home. Maria Lopes used to be a home daycare provider. That was, at least, until Da Cruz and Lopes each decided to reach for a college education.

Both originally from Cape Verde, an island nation off the Atlantic coast of Africa, Da Cruz and Lopes are two of the 19 recent graduates of the Rhode Island Regional Adult Learning (RIRAL) project’s “Transition to College” program. The students were honored at their graduation on Thursday at the Blackstone Valley Visitors Center on Main Street. (more…)

For people who live in the United States and don’t know English well, life can be tough. Even climbing on a bus or buying a soft drink becomes a chore — let alone succeeding in school and at work.

Luckily, teachers certified to teach English to non-English speakers can help. These instructors love knowing that every single lesson makes a huge difference in their students’ ability to get through the day. If you too want to make a direct, positive impact on people’s lives, you may want to consider teaching ESL. (more…)

New programs to address the needs of language learners on campus at ASU will now include a 6-week course in Spanish for community medical professionals, a licensure endorsement program for K-12 schoolteachers, a certificate program for people interested in teaching abroad and online language courses.

The 6-week course teaches basic Spanish to professionals in health care. Weekly classes will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays beginning June 22 in Jonesboro and at the same time on Tuesdays in Paragould.

Certified teachers may pursue a licensure endorsement during evening hours, Unnold said. The four courses are designed to prepare elementary and secondary teachers to teach English as a second language. (more…)

Montgomery, a suburb of Washington, D.C., spends $47 million a year on technology like Edline. It is at the vanguard of what is known as the “data-driven” movement in U.S. education — an approach that builds on the heavy testing of President George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind law. Using district-issued Palm Pilots, for instance, teachers can pull up detailed snapshots of each student’s progress on tests and other measures of proficiency.

The high-tech strategy, which uses intensified assessments and the real-time collection of test scores, grades and other data to identify problems and speed up interventions, has just received a huge boost from President Barack Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan. (more…)

A small group of adult English language learners worked last week on the difference between the “long e” and “short e” sound. In case the words “dread” and “read” aren’t confusing enough, the teacher’s name is Diane Beilke. What kind of language has a silent “e” at the end of one word and a long “e” at the end of another?

Beilke has had lots of experience helping adults navigate the English language. She is a former volunteer and employee of the Stateline Literacy Council. This is the third year in a row she’s taught English as a second language at Birds Eye. Prior to a gap in classes, she taught at the plant in the early 1990s, as well, she said. (more…)

Holyoke and Springfield school superintendents will join a group of 17 educators who will study how to close the proficency gaps between black and Hispanic students and their white peers.

The committee, led by the state Board of Education, will also include a variety of other urban superintendents including those from Pittsfield, a few business leaders and a number of members of the board.

Since 77 percent of Holyoke’s students are Hispanic and in Springfield 55 percent of students are Hispanic and 32 percent are black, it is appropriate to put the two area superintendents on the panel, said Holyoke Superintendent Eduarbo B. Carballo. (more…)