Preschool for English language learners

This webcast features Dr. Rebecca Palacios and offers information on the following components of a PreK ELL program: language instruction, curriculum, professional development, and family outreach.

Preschool for English language learners

This webcast features Dr. Rebecca Palacios and offers information on the following components of a PreK ELL program: language instruction, curriculum, ...

Description

This webcast features Dr. Rebecca Palacios and offers information on the following components of a PreK ELL program: language instruction, curriculum, professional development, and family outreach.

Recommended Readings

Literacy and Language Instruction

Assessment

Policy

Family Involvement

Discussion Questions

  1. What are the main components of an effective preschool program for English language learners? How might these components be incorporated differently in different types of program models (e.g., dual language, immersion, English only)?
  2. Discuss some of the ways that an ELL's native language might be used to support his/her learning in preschool. How important is it for ELLs to have teachers who speak their home language?
  3. Talk about the role of assessment in preschool. What types of assessment (both formal and informal) do you currently use in your program? Would you make any changes, based on the information presented in the webcast?
  4. According to the webcast, why is it important to establish good home-school partnerships? Did you learn any strategies that you might use to get your ELLs' parents more involved?
  5. How can we best prepare teachers to work with English language learners in preschool? What kind of ongoing support do you think they need in order to be successful?
  6. What kind of mentoring and professional development, if any, have you had at your program? What kinds of training do you think would be most helpful? How can your team collaborate with program leaders to review the possibility of implementing those ideas?
  7. What are some new ideas you learned in the webcast that might help expand services and support for ELLs at your program?

Presenters

Dr. Rebecca Palacios is an educator who taught preschool for more than thirty years in Corpus Christi, Texas.  Dr. Palacios is also a teacher mentor, a founding member and former vice chair of the National Board For Professional Teaching Standards, and a member of the American Federation of Teacher's ELL Educator Cadre.