In an effort to provide more opportunities for professional development for our members and other English language teachers, MIDTESOL is excited to launch a Webinar Series.
MIDTESOL will host two webinars in April with a second series coming in June 2019! See the details below to sign up for one or both of the April webinars and for information on an opportunity to present in a June webinar. Registration for the Webinar Series is free and open to anyone (up to 100 attendees), so help us spread the word.
Webinar 1: Towards a Strengths-Based Approach to Teaching Adults with Emerging Literacy
Hosted by: MIDTESOL’s Community College and Adult Education Interest Section
Presenters: Katie Rosenberger, Anne Dugger, and Elizabeth Baertlein
Description: The word “illiterate” is often used to describe adults who have not yet attained basic reading and writing skills in any language, yet this word carries many negative connotations and fails to recognize the unique skill sets that these adults must possess in order to navigate their everyday lives. When we encounter these adults in our English language classes, it is important to recognize the strengths they bring to the classroom as we also confront the unique challenges presented in working with this population. Join MIDTESOL’s Community College and Adult Education Interest Section for a free webinar on how we can begin to move toward a strengths-based approach in our teaching of adults with emerging literacy skills.
Date and Time: Thursday, April 25 3:30-4:30 pm CDT
Replay now available!
Webinar 2: Separating Difference from Disability
Hosted by: Kaylene Powell, Nebraska Member-at-Large
Presenter: Dr. Catherine Collier
Description: Disproportionality in identifying and placing culturally and linguistically diverse students in special education is still an issue in our schools. An increasing number of students from diverse racial, cultural and linguistic backgrounds have unique learning needs as they acquire school English and adapt to the culture of the American educational system.
Among this diverse population of students are at-risk learners and learners with a variety of disabilities. This situation presents school districts and even the most experienced education professional with unique challenges and remains a serious test of service proportionality in American schools. Current law requires that before a student is identified as having a disability, language acquisition must be ruled out as a primary factor for the learning problems.
We address the challenge of identifying when a learning or behavior problem is due to language learning difference, language disorder, or other learning/transition issue. Some CLD students are disproportionately placed in special education and some are disproportionately being denied needed special education services. The needs of these diverse learners are not being appropriately addressed when “difference” is used to disproportionately place or deny diverse learners special education services. Both classroom and clinical personnel are challenged as they adapt procedures and instruction to meet the educational needs of these diverse learners.
We will present seven clear steps for separating difference and disability issues and will highlight specific issues and screening strategies that are most effective in separating difference from disability.
Date and Time: Friday, April 26 3:30-4:30 pm CDT
Replay now available!
Coming in June
Did you present at #MIDTESOL18 or #TESOL19? Would you like to offer your session as a webinar in June? If so, consider submitting your presentation for the NON-WINTER WORKSHOP!
Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays in June, 4:00-6:00 pm
Presentation Types: Higher Education, Teacher Training, Community College, Adult Education, Intensive English Programs.
Link to the Non-Winter Workshop Submissions Form: https://forms.gle/FL47e7cb3VoYbBkb9
Extended Information: The Non-Winter Workshop follows in the tradition of the Higher Education/Teacher Training MidWinter Workshop but will be held as an online-only webinar series Tuesdays and Thursdays in June. This is intended to allow for instructors with limited schedules and/or professional development budgets to attend and interact.
Many of us are new to webinars – Zoom webinar hosting instructions will be sent to presenters before the conference series begins.
