Advocacy & Leadership

The following books include ideas for advocating on behalf of ELLs, as well as developing leadership skills. Many of these titles were mentioned in our Facebook Live event on advocacy for English Language Learners.

Advocating for English Learners: A Guide for Educators

English Learners are the fastest-growing segment of the K–12 population and educators of ELLs are often in a unique position to provide a voice for their needs. This book demystifies the techniques of advocacy for ELLs, including creating a shared sense of responsibility for ELL success, guidance for administrators, and tips for advocacy for ELLs' success beyond Grade 12.

Special Education Considerations for English Language Learners: Delivering a Continuum of Services (2nd Ed.)

Rather than asking the question "disability or language difficulty?", this outstanding guidebook lays out a framework for strengthening ELL academic support; improving the methods by which educators gather information on their students; and building a collaborative team to manage this process and identify culturally and linguistically-appropriate interventions. The second edition includes in-depth discussions of RTI and standardized testing and how they fit into the well-structured framework of ELL support.

The Inner World of the Immigrant Child

Product Description: This powerful book tells the story of one teacher's odyssey to understand the inner world of immigrant children, and to create a learning environment that is responsive to these students' feelings and their needs. Featuring the voices and artwork of many immigrant children, this text portrays the immigrant experience of uprooting, culture shock, and adjustment to a new world, and then describes cultural, academic, and psychological interventions that facilitate learning as immigrant students make the transition to a new language and culture.

Unlocking English Learners' Potential: Strategies for Making Content Accessible

Content teachers and ESOL teachers, take special note: if you’re looking for a single resource to help your English learners meet the same challenging content standards as their English-proficient peers, your search is complete. Just dip into this toolbox of strategies, examples, templates, and activities from EL authorities Diane Staehr Fenner and Sydney Snyder, which includes tips on: