by Ziyun Chen While many international students go abroad to study English or study a profession in English, the majority of students are not sufficiently equipped in the domain of cultural competence to feel at ease in the classrooms of English-speaking countries. I believe that ESL teachers have a significant role in assisting ESL students…
by Arla Jones As I am coming to the end of my second year of teaching in a blended classroom, I can honestly say that it has been a completely refreshing experience. Nobody is more surprised than me–it’s been 27 years since I first started teaching! Our English Learners (ELs) are in grades six to…
Reminder to MIDTESOL members attending the 2016 MIDTESOL Conference September 30th – October 1st! The deadline to apply for an Interest Section Travel Award is July 22 for attendees who do not receive financial assistance from their employers. One winner from each interest section will receive a check for $125 at the conference. For more…
With America’s classrooms changing rapidly, teachers at all levels need to know who their immigrant students are and how to capitalize on diversity for the benefit of all students. Learn asset-based models and techniques to bring out the best in your students in the free online workshop Immigrant Student Success: Models and Tools for K-12…
by Lindsey Jackson In December 2015, President Obama signed into law an act that replaced No Child Left Behind (NCLB). That law was the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which is not only a replacement of NCLB but a continuation of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act put into place by President Lyndon B. Johnson…
By Arla Jones and Kimberley Kreicker, Ph.D. South Middle School in Lawrence, Kansas has a diverse ESOL population comprising approximately 12% of the student body. South has both long-term ELs and relative newcomers, mostly of Spanish, Laotian, and Arabic language backgrounds. We are the two full-time ESOL professionals on staff. With the middle school model,…
by Lindsey Jackson The topic of immigration is particularly important for educators, especially in regards to undocumented minors. These children and teenagers, brought to the States at a young age, have no paperwork and no legal status. Although all children in the United States have a legal right to a free, appropriate, public education up…
by Lindsey Jackson I recently read (and highly recommend) Shapiro, Farrelly, and Tomaš’ (2014) book, Fostering International Student Success in Higher Education, which is filled with invaluable advice for helping language learners assimilate into their new university environment. Though nearly every page ended up tagged with a Post-it note reaction to something I’d read, one…
MIDTESOL is pleased to announce the winners of our annual Best Student Essay contests. Students responded to essay questions related to this year’s conference theme of “Innovation and Improvisation”. The winner of the Best ESL Student Essay is Manou Maeva Boko. She is a student at the University of Missouri’s Center for English Language Learning.…
by Lindsey Jackson It’s not uncommon nowadays to hear of instructors incorporating TED Talks into their lesson plans. TED Talks present interesting topics for discussion, and they also have subtitles and transcripts available for listeners who may require a little more scaffolding. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story” (2009), has…
