Academic Literacy Development for English Learners

This self-paced online course is designed to provide teachers and administrators with an overview of research-based approaches to academic literacy development for English learners (ELs) in the content classroom.  

Based on decades of research by the Center for Applied Linguistics on how language is learned and extensive experience working effectively with educators to help English learners succeed in the classroom, the Academic Literacy Development for English Learners online course is divided into three modules designed to provide an overview of research-based approaches to literacy development.

In this course, the three modules will be dedicated to areas associated with literacy: connecting literacy practices with student backgrounds, reading, and writing.

Each module begins with a warm-up activity and includes a narrated PowerPoint presentation and readings. Throughout the course, participants have opportunities to reflect upon and practice new learning, self-assess through quizzes; view real-world examples through video demonstration; and apply lessons learned through applicable wrap-up activities.

• Module 1: provides an overview of the history of literacy and what it means to be “literate” while guiding teachers to consider the cultural backgrounds of students and promote biliteracy instruction that values first languages and students’ rich experiences.
• Module 2: defines the components of reading and models practical strategies to focus on reading comprehension and learning strategies such as summarization and prediction during content area instruction.
• Module 3: focuses on English language writing development and literacy scaffolds that can support and build the necessary skills to meet the content and language demands of a grade-level writing task.

Upon registration and payment, you will receive log-on credentials for the course via the email address provided upon registration. 

Each module is self-paced and takes approximately five hours to complete. You will have three months to complete the course. At the conclusion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of completion from the Center for Applied Linguistics.

*CAL also offers a tiered pricing structure for schools and districts who wish to have 10 or more teachers take the online course.