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Free Resources to Support English Language Learners

English Language Learners (ELLs) is the fastest-growing student population in the United States. By 2025 an estimated 25% of public school students will be emergent multilingual learners, according to the NEA.

Unfortunately, many educators aren't trained to work effectively with these students. Bright children are doing their best to learn but are slipping through the cracks because English is not their first language.

ASCD is here to help. We've gathered some great resources from our archives and recent releases to help prepare you to break down barriers that are preventing these students from reaching their full potential.

Share with your colleagues:        

Jump to:  Articles  |  Infographics & EL Takeaways  |  Webinars  |  Book Chapters & Quick Reference Guides  |  Videos  |  Online Courses

Articles 

Every issue of Educational Leadership® magazine offers a selection of open articles. ASCD members can access all recent magazine issues and articles by logging in. Education Update is our monthly newsletter. ASCD Express is a twice-monthly free e-newsletter.

The following articles have been opened to all visitors.

Educational Leadership magazine - Helping ELLs Excel - February 2016

"The Teachers Our English Language Learners Need"

Authors Patricia Gándara and Lucrecia Santibañez examine how ill prepared today's teachers are to provide effective instruction to ELLs, drawing on their own research as well as research by others. From the February 2016 issue of Educational Leadership magazine.

Read article

  • Educational Leadership: Helping ELLs Excel, February 2016 (full issue open)
  • Educational Leadership: "Teaching Argument Writing to ELLs," April 2014
  • Educational Leadership: "Overcoming Triple Segregation," November 2010
  • Educational Leadership: Supporting English Language Learners, April 2009 (full issue open)
  • Educational Leadership: Educating Language Learners, December 2004/January 2005 (full issue open)
  • Education Update: "ELLs Count on Language Support in Math," April 2018
  • Education Update: "Setting ELLs Up for Success," October 2014
  • Education Update: "Making Challenges Meaningful for English Language Learners," October 2009
  • Education Update: "Preparing Latinos for College Success," August 2009
  • ASCD Express: Lifting Language Learners, May 10, 2018 (theme issue)
  • ASCD Express: Helping ELLs Excel, February 25, 2016 (theme issue)
  • ASCD Express: "Five Principals with Twenty Examples for Engaging ELL Families", March 12, 2015
  • ASCD Express: Best Practices for Teaching ELLs, May 24, 2012 (theme issue)

Browse the newsletters and publications archive to find more free articles

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Infographics & EL Takeaways

Gap Infographic

Gap and Resource Mismatch Meet Growing ELL Population

View Infographic

EL Takeaways / Eight Lessons about Language Learning - ASCD

Eight Lessons about
Language Learning

Learn More

EL Takeaways / What We Need to Know About Diversity - ASCD

What We Need to Know
About Diversity

Learn More

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Get More Resources Like These

Did you know that ASCD members get access to thousands more resources like these on a variety of different topics in our Members-Only Digital Archives, in addition to receiving new tips and recommendations throughout the year?

Please take a moment to check out our membership options. We would love to have you as a member of our organization. Join now to receive the free resources listed below and up to a 20% discount on these upcoming books available to our members later this year, including

  • What you can do to maximize the learning opportunities for your ELL students (Educational Leadership magazine)
  • Classroom- and school-based strategies for supporting ELLs (January 2020 ASCD Express digital newsletter)
  • Team Up, Speak Up, Fire Up! Educators, Students, and the Community Working Together to Support English Learners by Audrey Cohan, Andrea Honigsfeld, and Maria Dove. (Available December 17 — Pre-Order)
  • Learning in a New Language: A Schoolwide Approach to Support K–8 Emergent Bilinguals by Lori Helman. (Available January, 22, 2020 — Pre-Order)

Join the membership association for all educators throughout their entire careers.

Joining ASCD also provides you with the opportunity to connect with local educators. You can join your local affiliate at the same time you join ASCD.

Join ASCD now.

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Webinars 

ASCD Webinars provide free professional development on the topics that you need most, on-demand to fit your schedule.

  • Dispelling Misconceptions About English Language Learners: Research-Based Ways to Improve Instruction with Barbara Gottschalk (Recorded November 7, 2019)
  • Success with Multicultural Newcomers and English Learners with Margarita Calderón and Shawn Slakk (Recorded June 27, 2019)

Browse all webinars

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Book Chapters

All ASCD members save up to 20% off purchases through the ASCD Store using their member discount.

Assessing Multilingual Learners: A Month-by-Month Guide (ASCD Arias)

Assessing Multilingual Learners: A Month-by-Month Guide

In Assessing Multilingual Learners, author Margo Gottlieb presents the story of Ana, a newcomer to the United States and its school system and, in a month-by-month format, reveals how assessment affects students, teachers, families, and school leaders. This book shows teachers how to collect, analyze, and act upon data about multilingual learners, with the goal of improving instruction for this large and growing population of students.

This entire book has been opened for your review!

Review all chapters

Browse book information

Dispelling Misconceptions about English Language Learners: Research-Based Ways to Improve Instruction by Barbara Gottschalk.
Introduction | Chapter 1: Just Who Is an English Language Learner? | ASCD Study Guide | Book Information

Reaching Out to Latino Families of English Language Learners by David Campos, Rocio Delgado, and Mary Esther Huerta.
Introduction: Why Reaching Out Matters  |  Chapter 1: A Critical Reflection: Exploring Self and Culture  |  ASCD Study Guide  |  Book information

Success with Multicultural Newcomers & English Learners: Proven Practices for School Leadership Teams by Margarita Calderón and Shawn Slakk.
Chapter 1: Identifying and Getting to Know the Newcomers and Other English Language Learners in Your School  |  ASCD Study Guide  |  Book information

Using Understanding by Design in the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Classroom by Amy Heineke and Jay McTighe.
Introduction  |  Chapter 3: Starting with Students: Preplanning for Language Development  |  Chapter 4: Setting Goals for Learning: Stage 1 for Language Development  |  ASCD Study Guide  |  Book information

Quick Reference Guide

Planning Effective Instruction for ELLs (Quick Reference Guide)

Planning Effective Instruction for ELLs (Quick Reference Guide)

Authors Pérsida and William Himmele share practical strategies to help teachers effectively plan to meet the linguistic and academic needs of English Language Learners.

View a Sample Strategy

Purchase the Quick Reference Guide

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Videos 

In this featured video, see how ASCD author Virginia Rojas as she learns how ESL and mainstream teachers collaborate to integrate English language learners into mainstream classrooms so that they can work toward language acquisition and academic achievement simultaneously.

Educating English Language Learners: Connecting Language, Literacy, and Culture: Building Academic Literacies

Educating English Language Learners: Connecting Language, Literacy, and Culture: Building Academic Literacies

The Teachers' Lounge on ASCD Streaming Video showcases free video content, previews of upcoming video programs, and excerpts from recent titles.

Visit the Teachers' Lounge

Available for rent or purchase:

  • Educating English Language Learners: Connecting Language, Literacy, and Culture: Evidence Based Assessment
  • Educating English Language Learners: Connecting Language, Literacy and Culture: Building Academic Literacies

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Online Courses 

In addition to the free resources featured above, ASCD offers additional resources at a discount to members, including our award-winning PD Online courses. Our reimagined PD Online courses connect course materials to real-world practice and are mobile friendly so you can do your professional development when and where you want to.

Join ASCD today and save up to 20% on courses like this to support ELLs in your classroom.

English Language Learners in the Mainstream - PD Online Course

English Language Learners in the Mainstream

This course aims to prepare teachers to work more effectively with English language learners in mainstream classes. Among other goals, you will learn how demographic changes affect schools, the importance of culture when teaching ELL students, and supportive strategies that can be implemented in any classroom.

  • Review course syllabus (PDF)
  • Enroll in this course
  • Explore more online courses

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ASCD Express

Ideas from the Field

Subscribe to ASCD Express, our free e-mail newsletter, to have practical, actionable strategies and information delivered to your e-mail inbox twice a month.

Subscribe Now

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