Evidence-Based Planning to Improve English Learners' Language Proficiency and Academic Achievement

By Dr. Virginia Rojas


Target Audience
Teachers with English Language Learners in their class

Course Leader
Dr. Virginia Rojas

Date/Time/Venue
Nov 13 - 14, 2014 
8.30 - 15.30
Centara Duangtawan Hotel
Chiangmai, Thailand

Nov 18 - 19, 2014
8.30 - 15.30
Sheraton Imperial
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia




Background
Traditional ESL programs grew from a deficit model where English learners were perceived as 'problems' needing to be fixed by specialists in order to function in mainstream classrooms. 

Rethinking and redefining this orientation is leading schools to figure out ways to design high-challenge, high support learning environments in which English learners gain a sense of their own competence through academic literacy and achievement.

Workshop Aim
In the course of this workshop participants will interactively answer these questions:
  • What are best practices for simultaneously increasing the English language proficiency and academic achievement of English learners? 
  • How can ESL and mainstream teachers work together to make this happen? 
  • How can grade-level academic standards (expectations) be used to get this work done?

Workshop Objectives
Specific workshop outcomes include:
  • The development of a professional knowledge base on linguistic and cultural issues related to teaching English learners in K-12 settings.
  • An understanding of programs options and curricula models. 
  • How to use specific instructional strategies to build background knowledge, scaffold meaning, extend language development, and affirm cultural identity as suggested by IBO for ELL in international schools. 
  • How to use literacy strategies (i.e. vocabulary, reading and writing) to increase academic language literacy skills in all curricula subjects. 
  • How to use instructional frameworks (i.e. assessment, differentiation, cooperative learning and co-teaching) to provide access to grade-level content to ELL in all subject areas. 
  • Using standards-based and assessment-driven instruction to support English Learners to CAN DO what teachers want them to know and do. 
  • An understanding of how classroom and ESL specialists can seamlessly work together to differentiate instruction and assessment equitably.

Workshop Facilitator

    Virginia Rojas, Ed.D. conducts professional training on effective programs and strategies forEnglish learners from pre-school through grade 12 for ESL and classroom teachers alike. As an ASCD faculty member, Dr. Rojas uses the backwards design curriculum model to  help teachers design high-challenge, high-support learning experiences for strengthening English learners' second language proficiency and academic achievement. 

She provides professional development trainings, job-embedded coaching and demonstration lessons, and conducts linguistic audits of EAL (English as an Additional Language) program. She has worked in over 200 international schools throughout the world as well as with school districts in the US and Canada. 

Dr. Rojas is the author of Strategies for Success with English Language Learners: An Action Toolkit for Classroom and ESL Teachers published by ASCD (2007) and of Educating English Language Learners: Connecting Language, Literacy, and Culture (2010), ASCD DVD Series.

Implementable Skills 
This workshop was held in Bangkok , Thailand in January 2014.  The response of the participants to the question: 
"What are the theory/skills acquired from this workshop that you can use immediately?" is documented here: 


Course Fee 
Course fee: Baht 21,390/USD 690 per participant
Reduced Fee: Baht 19, 220/USD 620 per participant for 2 or more participants registering together

Accommodation
Chiangmai, Thailand:  
Centara Duangtawan Hotel Chiangmai is offering us the following special rate for their superior/deluxe room.  The rate is inclusive of breakfast:
Baht 1500 nett per night  single accommodation
Baht 1700 nett per night twin accommodation 
To make a booking,  you can fill out this form and send to the hotel directly as per the contact details given on the page footer of the form.  

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Sheraton Imperial Hotel Kuala Lumpur is offering us the following special rate for their deluxe room:
RM 501.12 nett inclusive of breakfast for 1-2 persons
To make a booking, email  Rachel.Lee@sheraton.com  and give the reference of :
Knowledge Source Institute;   Mr. Navin Pawa

Contact Information 
Workshop Coordinator: Mr. Navin Pawa 
E-mail: navin@ksithailand.com 
Phone (Thailand): 081 701 6843; 081 846 5770
(replace '0' with '66' for international calls)

Click here  to reserve a seat for the workshop
(Final date for sending in form is November 7, 2014)