• iTeachELLs Teacher Quality Partnership Grant

The iTeachELLs project prepares educators to teach culturally and linguistically diverse students. iTeachELLs is a $10+ million grant which was awarded in 2014 and runs through 2019.

Three innovations:
  • Instructional coaching in higher education
  • 6 Principles of ELL instruction
  • Problem-Based Enhanced Language Learning
Our vision: All learning occurs through language. All teachers are language teachers.

The Why



As a nation, we are growing more diverse. In order to commit to an economically healthy Arizona and nation, we must invest in and value the diverse cognitive and cultural capital of learners. The jobs of the future will require some form of education beyond high school. As a state and a nation, we are missing a tremendous opportunity of nourishing the individual cognitive capital resources available to our economic landscape.

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The How



We want teachers and students to feel successful. Most teachers wonder about how to support language learners. The three iTeachELLs innovations, 1) Instructional Coaching in Higher Education 2) 6 Principles of ELL Instruction 3) Problem-Based Enhanced Language Learning, help faculty and teachers think about the role of language in learning and in the classroom.

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iTeachELLs Modules

This suite of modules highlights why teachers need to rethink the role of language in instruction and explores ways to modify lessons to address the needs of ELL students. An overview of this suite of modules is provided here: Modules Overview

ELLs & Disciplinary Discourse

Teachers need to adapt lesson plans to ensure all students understand the content.

 Metacognitive/Metalanguage

ELLs need to understand words and meanings in order to grasp content.
Content Language Objective

Teachers must create lessons that not only present content but also teach the language needed.

 Primary Language Support

It is important to treat students' native language as a resource rather than a hindrance.
Assessment

Standardized tests aren't the most effective way to guage ELLs knowledge or abilities.

 PBL into PBELL

Students should work collaboratively to research a meaningful problem and develop solutions.

Research & Resources


Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning (May 2017) Teachers need to be able to design and implement problem-based learning (PBL) experiences to help students master the content and the processes in new mathematics and science education standards.

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Problem-Based Enhanced Language Learning (PBELL) Recent discussions of educational reform and accountability have centered on the concepts of student engagement and standards-based instruction. One of the most promising approaches to addressing these challenges is ProblemBased Learning (PBL).

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iTeachELLs Lesson Plans

Problem-Based Enhanced Language Learning (PBELL) is intentionally planning meaningful problem-based lessons that also build high-level discipline specific language. The roots of problem-based learning are enhanced by:

  • Intentionally planning for opportunities to develop and practice language
  • Including sheltering techniques to make content and language comprehensible
  • Infusing reading, writing, and speaking and listening into math, science, and social studies content
  • Providing access to rigorous content through a PBL approach

PBELL Lessons are organized by elementary and middle school levels. Each link will direct you to a Google Drive folder containing lesson plans, materials, and a PowerPoint that can be adapted for your classroom. The folder titles will be labeled as:

  • iTeachELLs- indicating it was designed by the iTeachELLs team
  • Teacher Created- indicating it was designed by an in-service teacher after attending an iTeachELLs training

News

Students in science class
A grant, a camp and a vision
April 19, 2017

There’s change in the air this summer.

iTeachELLs Events

  • STEM Education for Diverse Learners

    June 25, 2018 to June 29, 2018

     (All day)

    Hyatt Regency Phoenix

    At the STEM Education for Diverse Learners summer camp, you will get to participate in a five-day program that includes interactive lessons and field trips to prepare you to enhance STEM education for diverse learners in your classroom.

    As a participant, you will learn techniques to:

    ...

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    Tags: iTeachELLs