Teaching MLs

Epizode

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  Dr. Marie Heath & Strategic by Design 02.07.2026 1h 9min

  Strategic by Design: The Blueprint for ML Programs by Dr. Marie Heath (published via Seidlitz Education) provides a comprehensive framework for building, evaluating, and sustaining effective educational programming for multilingual learners (MLs). Rather than treating language acquisition as an isolated classroom responsibility, Dr. Heath argues that student progress is driven by intentional, systemic design. The book highlights how common system stress points limit student growth and offers a practical blueprint built around six interconnected pillars: Compliance & Data: Aligning program tracking and legal mandates with meaningful data analysis to accurately measure student progress and program efficacy. Curriculum & Instruction: Creating accessible, language-infused, and academically rigorous learning pathways tailored to diverse linguistic needs. Staffing: Strategically placing and supporting qualified educators, specialists, and co-teaching teams to maximize student support. Professional Learning: Building continuous, targeted training for all educators—not just language specialists—to foster a school-wide culture of academic literacy. Family & Community Engagement: Creating authentic bridges between home and school cultures, valuing families as key partners in the educational ecosystem. Pathways to Graduation: Designing clear, actionable structures that ensure long-term academic success, graduation equity, and viable post-secondary opportunities for multilingual students.
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  Integrated Literacy for Experienced MLs w/ Beth Skelton & Tan 16.06.2026 55min

  Beth and I share about our newest book, Integrated Literacy for Experienced Multilinguals, on Olivia Wahl's Schoolutions Podcast. This book is written specifically for ELD teachers who have dedicated ELD class with MLs who have been labeled as ML for at least 5 years. We share how to backwards plan ELD units and teach the units' lessons.   
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  Teaching Conceptual Understanding in Multilingual Classrooms 05.05.2026 52min

  Teaching Conceptual Understanding in Multilingual Classrooms, authored by Juliette van Eerdewijk and Mindy McCracken, is a practical guide designed to help educators foster deep, enduring learning for multilingual students. The book introduces a concept-based curriculum that integrates theoretical explanations with actionable teaching strategies, such as translanguaging, to support diverse student populations. It provides teachers with essential resources, including sample lesson plans and reflection activities, making it a valuable tool for both pre-service and in-service professional development. Ultimately, the authors advocate for an inclusive pedagogical approach that places students' multilingual identities at the center of the classroom experience.   https://www.multilingual-matters.com/page/detail/?k=9781836682752
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  Meaning-Making in the ML World: Lessons from Modern World Languages w/ Rebeca Lozano 24.03.2026 37min

  In this episode, Rebeca Lozano explores how the frameworks of Modern World Language instruction can be integrated into the multilingual learner (ML) world to enhance instructional outcomes. The conversation focuses on transitioning from basic communicative practices to the more robust application of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), providing a deeper understanding of how language creates meaning in specific academic contexts. By adopting this systemic approach, educators can better support students in navigating the complex linguistic demands of various disciplines.  
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  216. Teaching phonics with pop-its 08.03.2026 31min

  Melanie Harder created these to help teach phonics through a fun, interactive, and tactile way. These packs are based on the UFLI curriculum.    https://www.paintedplumeducation.com/shop/pop-n-read/6IYXGNKK3C6EIO7MHA7VOSSK   (I make no money promoting this product.) 
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  215. Dr. Eugenia Krimmel - Accelerating Newcomer Literacy 06.12.2025 58min

  This book supports educators in teaching academic writing skills to Newcomer English Learners (ELs) who are just beginning their English language learning journey. Newcomer ELs typically have minimal familiarity with the English alphabet, which can be an obstacle for them when learning writing, phonics, and spelling in English. Drawing on research and classroom‑tested methods, this book provides teachers practical strategies to help Newcomers start writing earlier, mastering letter-sound correspondence, and gaining confidence to write their thoughts in English. Readers will learn how to seamlessly integrate EL-targeted strategies and personalized literacy instruction into writing workshops to accelerate Newcomer’s acquisition of English phonics, spelling, and writing skills. These adaptable strategies also benefit world language teachers seeking effective ways to teach writing and literacy to beginners on any language learning journey. Built on the author’s instructional coaching expertise and observations of field testing by practicing teachers, this is an excellent resource for English as a Second Language (ESL) educators and instructional coaches to promote faster and better literacy acquisition for their Newcomers and other beginner language learners. You can visit Dr. Krimmel's website by going to https://www.elwritingprocess.com/  If you choose to purchase Dr. Kimmel's book from Amazon, thank you for financially supporting the podcast.   
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  Ep 214: Dr. Anne Paonessa - Essential Connection Skills 01.11.2025 53min

  What do high-achieving schools have in common? Connection. Today’s classrooms need to move beyond traditional teaching methods; they need strategies that will re-engage students and build on meaningful connections. This book equips educators with evidence-based strategies that are layered into existing instruction, thus improving attendance, reducing behavior issues, and fueling higher academic outcomes. Essential Connection Skills offers practical solutions to help educators reignite the joy of learning through purposeful, reflective interactions. These strategies empower students to build connections, embrace multiple perspectives, and develop the social and academic tools necessary for success. Inside you'll find: Chapter-by-chapter resources and techniques Assessment recommendations Targeted strategies for culturally and linguistically diverse students Techniques to help students develop self-reflection skills By cultivating authentic engagement, Essential Connection Skills restores a sense of community and purpose in classrooms and empowers students with the lifelong skills they’ll need to succeed. To access resources and join the conversation around Essential Connection Skills, visit annepaonessa.com.   Here's an Language Magazine article written by Anne that shares more about her process. https://languagemagazine.com/2025/10/21/improving-outcomes-through-the-power-of-connection/    If you choose to buy the book using this link, it helps offset the costs associated with hosting this podcast. https://amzn.to/3JonSNF
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  Ep 213: Supporting Multilingual Learners’ Academic Language Development 11.10.2025 47min

  A practical and comprehensive resource, Supporting Multilingual Learners’ Academic Language Development: A Language-Based Approach to Content Instruction introduces an accessible language-based approach to teaching academic language to multilingual learners across the content areas. Luciana C. de Oliveira provides elementary school teachers with everything they need to know to successfully teach grade-level content to multilingual learners. Chapters are organized by subject, addressing the specific language demands of teaching English language arts, social studies, mathematics, and science. Each chapter features examples of implementation in grades K-5, practical strategies, and a wealth of tables, figures, and other resources. The Language-Based Approach to Content Instruction (LACI) in this book provides teachers with a ready-to-use framework of six scaffolding elements that serves as a guide to enable multilingual learners to meet the grade-level standard of their peers without simplification. Aligned with WIDA and CCSS standards, this resource provides the tools and methods teachers need to support multilingual learners’ academic language development in the content area classroom.   For those who purchase the book with this link, you are offsetting the cost of hosting the podcast. Thank you!!!! https://amzn.to/3L3x9ee
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  Ep 212: Serving English Learners: Laws, policies, and regulations 03.10.2025 46min

  New episode released. This is particularly timely about laws, policies, and regulations on supporting MLs. This printable guide, written for Colorín Colorado by Dr. Debbie Zacarian, provides a detailed introduction to federal laws regarding ELLs and their relationship to state and local policies, including information about ELL identification under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Here's the link to the guide https://www.colorincolorado.org/serving-multilingual-learners-laws-policies-and-regulations Here's a companion resource for the guide as well: https://www.colorincolorado.org/teaching-mls-colorin-colorado-ell-policy-guide      
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  Ep. 211. Nine dimensions of scaffolding for MLs 16.09.2025 51min

  Today′s classrooms are more linguistically diverse than ever, but many educators still feel underprepared to support multilingual learners in accessing grade-level academic content. Without intentional scaffolding, these students miss opportunities to thrive alongside their peers. Through nine scaffolded approaches―instructional, linguistic, multimodal, multisensory, graphic, digital, interactive/collaborative, social-emotional, and environmental―this resource offers content area teachers research-based, practical strategies to meet the linguistic, social-emotional, and academic needs of multilingual learners. https://languagemagazine.com/2025/08/29/nine-dimensions-of-scaffolding/ If you purchase this book from Amazon, it supports offset the price to host the podcast. https://amzn.to/3Vmds3r
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  210. Academic Languaging w/ Dr. Gisela Ernst-Slavit & Dr. Margo Gottlieb 31.07.2025 1h 4min

  Rethink how academic languaging can transform content area teaching For years, the teaching of content-based academic language to multilingual learners has focused on formulas, vocabulary lists, and sentence patterns―often sidelining students’ linguistic and cultural strengths. Gisela Ernst-Slavit and Margo Gottlieb address these challenges by embracing academic languaging, an active, collaborative student-driven process. Academic Languaging offers strategies to integrate language and content learning while fostering student engagement, voice, and agency. Dedicated chapters on academic languaging for Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science highlight the dimensions of disciplinary language for each subject and provide strategies for moving learning forward with multilingual learners. Additional features include: "Stop and Think" prompts to help educators connect new ideas with their instructional settings Prompts at the end of each chapter to encourage deeper thinking and application of the material Multilingual examples to mirror the varied classroom settings in the U.S. and beyond. The ultimate resource for educators committed to empowering multilingual learners and fostering meaningful, culturally sustaining education, Academic Languaging ensures multilingual learners comprehend academic content and thrive as confident, autonomous drivers of their own learning. To support the podcast, you can order this book using my Amazon Associate's link: https://amzn.to/3U6lIEc
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  Ep 209. Elise White Diaz: A framework for trauma-informed instruction 09.05.2025 43min

  Elise White Diaz is well-versed in the challenges facing diverse students from difficult backgrounds. Prior to her work in public education, Elise’s passion for trauma-informed pedagogy began when she moved to Tegucigalpa, Honduras to serve at a school for child laborers in the garbage dump. There she taught bilingual and ESL education at the secondary level, and learned so much from her students who overcame obstacles and went on to college.  Upon returning to the United States, Elise brought her experiences to a diverse district in North Texas. She wove together principles from culturally-relevant, trauma-informed education and language acquisition in innovative ways, bringing dramatic gains in standardized test (STAAR) scores. Soon after, she began to mentor and coach teachers in how to recreate these routines. Elise has served in various roles in Emergent Bilingual education, including co-teaching, instructional coaching, writing curriculum, and offering professional development to Texas schools. As a consultant for Seidlitz Education, Elise enjoys supporting teachers in their important work of building language and connection across cultures and obstacles. She holds a Master’s degree from Fuller Seminary in Intercultural Studies and lives in the Dallas area with her husband and two children. She is a member of the National Association for Bilingual Education and Women-for-Orphans-Worldwide, and returns to Central America wherever she can.
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  Ep 208. Welcome to Teaching MLs w/ Valentina Gonzalez 16.03.2025 38min

  Engage, Empower, Educate: Unleash the Potential of Multilingual Learners What′s your "why" for being a teacher? Unlike other professionals, teachers often have strong reasons for why they teach and a clear sense of purpose. Acknowledging and understanding this purpose helps educators to not just do what they do but do it well. This illustrated guide was designed for all classroom teachers to emphasize the unique challenges and opportunities that arise in multilingual learner education. Using Simon Sinek′s Golden Circle theory to understand and elevate that sense of purpose, the book is organized into three parts: the why, the how, and the what of teaching multilingual learners. You will learn The benefits and goals of a multilingual education How to design learning experiences for multilingual learners and how to respond when students are not learning Culturally inclusive pedagogy and how it positively supports the identities of your students How to foster oral language skills, build vocabulary, and increase students’ word knowledge How to engage families and caregivers and create a sense of belonging in your classroom And so much more! With a clear understanding of the research-based tools, techniques, and instructional strategies described and illustrated in the book, a solid sense of purpose, and a dash of grace for you and your multilingual learners, you will be well on your way to creating productive and positive learning opportunities that meet the best interests of all students, families, educators, and the community.   To support this podcast, please consider purchasing Valentina's book using this link https://amzn.to/4itjloY
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  Ep 207: Centering Multilingual Learners w/ Dr. Marilee Coles-Ritchie 13.01.2025 1h 1min

  This book is written for teachers with intellectual agility, compassionate hearts, and creative minds — those who want to support their students and appreciate specific strategies. This essential guide is compact, research-based, and includes the most basic supports. It's accessible with ideas that can be implemented in a teacher's established or current structure. This book will provide secondary teachers with essential tools to support Multilingual Learners (MLs) in your classes. After reading this book, teachers will have two main takeaways: one, you’ll realize that your classroom is enhanced when you are fortunate enough to have Multilingual Learners in it; two, you’ll have the tools to support MLs or English Learners or ESL learners in your classroom and see their growth without compromising the learning of primarily English speakers. https://amzn.to/4gR8Ond
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  Ep 206. Creating a hub for newcomers w/ Megan Dreher 20.10.2024 30min

  Here is an example of the newcomer hub Megan talked about: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Fxo0d6labSdIBCQwL92ln0X4mcO48WXSbT2Hna6IgEQ/edit#slide=id.p She is generously sharing her email to those who want to know more about the newcomer hub: megan_dreher@fis.edu
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  Ep 205. Empowering EAL Learners in Secondary Schools 30.08.2024 56min

  One in five students are identified as speaking English as an Additional Language (EAL) and all teachers are highly likely to be teaching multilingual students in their classrooms. As our schools become more culturally and linguistically diverse, they must respond to the needs of the students in front of them, and this book provides a range of strategies and resources to ensure teaching is adaptive and responsive so that all learners thrive and fulfil their academic potential. At the heart of the book is developing an understanding of how languages are acquired and an awareness that all students, regardless of their current English language proficiency, need to be offered a challenging and supportive environment. Chapters offer: High-yielding, practical approaches and strategies to ensure that students are able to access content-appropriate lessons and simultaneously develop their language A plethora of resources and step-by-step examples, showcasing how explicit vocabulary and grammar learning can be context-based for the benefit of all learners Each teacher is positioned as a language teacher, with the responsibility of planning sessions where language is not perceived as an add-on, but as an integral and pivotal part. This book will empower you as an educator and ensure that your classroom is a language-aware and stimulating environment for your students. It will be essential reading for all secondary school educators and teaching assistants who support EAL students in mainstream lessons and are responsible for producing resources and implementing classroom strategies.
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  Ep 204. The apprenticeship approach to writing instruction w/ Dr. Ruslana Westerlund 23.08.2024 46min

  You can access the article that Ruslana referenced in this podcast conversation.   https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/teaching-writing-content-areas-research-practice   Here are the links to some of my work connected to the conversation. Teaching Writing in the Content Areas: from Research to Practice https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/teaching-writing-content-areas-research-practice  Teaching with the WIDA 2020 ELD Standards in a Second-Grade Literacy Block by Dr. Ruslana Westerlund Scaffolding Multilingual Learners’ Access to Wisconsin Social Studies Inquiry Through the WIDA ELD Standards by Dr. Ruslana Westerlund and Elizabeth Folberg Scaffolding for Multilingual Learners in Elementary and Secondary Schools available here on Routledge Making Language Visible in Social Studies: A Guide to Disciplinary Literacy in the Social Studies Classroom    
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  Ep 203. Breaking new ground with SLIFE 16.08.2024 1h 4min

  https://amzn.to/4cHbS2A In its second edition, Breaking New Ground for SLIFE builds on its model for supporting students who are new to English and may have experienced a disruption in their schooling. The practices presented in this book emerge from the belief that education for students with limited or interrupted formal education, also known as SLIFE, should not be remedial but should build on the students’ prior learning experiences and existing areas of knowledge. This second edition has been significantly updated, informed by recent research in the field, feedback from teachers, and new scholarly treatments of the topic. Breaking New Ground for SLIFE, second edition, explores the MALP approach, highlights how technology can be incorporated into classroom activities, and includes actual MALP projects implemented by MALP-trained teachers of both young and adolescent learners. In addition, the authors provide a newly revised MALP Teacher Planning Checklist. By reading Breaking New Ground for SLIFE, educators will: - Further develop their understanding of the needs of students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE)- ​Learn about the Mutually Adaptive Learning Paradigm (MALP) and how to integrate it into their classrooms- Discover and learn about the MALP instructional approach and how to use it to develop a project-based curriculum using examples from teachers in the field
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  Ep 202. Collaborative assessments for MLs 02.08.2024 46min

  Join bestselling authors Margo Gottlieb and Andrea Honigsfeld on an engaging journey to showcase collaborative assessment within assets-driven instructional practices. Integrating instructional and assessment cycles, explore how multilingual learners can interact with each other and their teachers to form lasting partnerships. Using evidence-based, research-informed strategies, Gottlieb and Honigsfeld invite educators to form partnerships to fortify linguistically and culturally sustainable assessment within their classroom routines. Collaborative assessment approaches AS, FOR, and OF learning encourages relationship building to foster multilingual learners’ academic, linguistic, cultural, and social-emotional development. This practical guide supports educators in enacting collaborative assessment and welcomes multilingual learners to be partners in the process.
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  Ep 201. Collaboration for MLs with exceptionalities 05.07.2024 51min

  Cooperation, coordination of services, and impactful collaboration are critical to the success of multilingual learners with exceptional needs. Written by experts in the fields of language and literacy development, equity, and special education, this practical guide emphasizes the power of partnership and inclusive pedagogy to transform educational practices for culturally and linguistically diverse students. Through six comprehensive chapters, the book offers strategies for effective co-planning, co-assessment, and co-teaching, while emphasizing the importance of cultural diversity and equitable classroom-based approaches for students with exceptionalities.   Links mentioned in the podcast:  https://udlguidelines.cast.org/       https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/1-500-decisions-a-day-at-least-how-teachers-cope-with-a-dizzying-array-of-questions/2021/12