ELL News Headlines

Throughout the week, Colorín Colorado gathers news headlines related to English language learners from around the country. The ELL Headlines are posted Monday through Friday and are available for free!

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Lisa Lopez-Galvan remembered as a 'shiny star' of Kansas City's Hispanic and music communities

Dozens of people gathered for a hastily called vigil on Thursday night at Skywalk Memorial Park in Kansas City to honor Lopez-Galvan, the Shawnee mother of two and local radio DJ killed in the Chiefs parade shooting. “She was here to do good," one of her childhood friends said. It was held at Skywalk Memorial Park, right outside Children’s Mercy Hospital, where 12 victims — most of the them children — were taken on Wednesday in the aftermath of the shooting.

Research: Immigration enforcement hinders schoolwork; schools offer support

Immigrant students’ schoolwork and experience in the classroom often suffer in the presence of immigration enforcement — with 60% percent of teachers and school staff reporting poorer academic performance, and nearly half noting increased rates of bullying against these students, UCLA-based researchers found.

How a Chicago counselor supports Latino boys in high school and beyond

When Jorge Alaves looks around room 110 at Lindblom Math and Science Academy each Wednesday morning, he sees 36 versions of his teenage self: Latino boys with a lot of potential at a high school full of high-achieving students trying to figure out how to be successful after graduation.

Yet another FAFSA problem: Many noncitizens can't fill it out

Most days, Vanessa Cordova Ramirez wakes at 6 a.m. to take care of her little brother, walk the puppy, make breakfast, and tidy up her family's Queens apartment before heading to school. She's a planner. Otherwise, the 17-year-old says, she couldn't manage schoolwork, extracurriculars, two jobs, and family responsibilities. "Life is a little hectic," she admits. Cordova Ramirez is in her final semester at Williamsburg Preparatory High School, and already has acceptances from all five of her top college choices. Location – a college near her family in New York City – was top priority, she says. But next on the list? Affordability. In order to make this dream come true she needs federal financial aid and scholarships. It's a moment she's been planning for years. But last month, when Cordova Ramirez and her mom sat down with a counselor to fill out the FAFSA, the form that will determine how much assistance she'll receive, all they got was an error message. Her family is not alone. This rejection has been a common error for students with parents who don't have a Social Security number, says Kristin Azer, a college counselor at Williamsburg Prep. In reporting this story, NPR spoke with families, counselors and advocates who shared similar problems. Among those impacted are permanent residents, green card holders or undocumented parents without a Social Security number.

How to Expand Teens’ Vocabulary

Today’s post, focused on expanding adolescents' vocabulary, is the fourth in a series offering strategies to support older students experiencing reading challenges.

Where the Need for Bilingual Teachers Has Changed Over 20 Years

We wrote recently about some of the reasons that may be keeping teachers from pursuing the bilingual educator route, despite the widespread need for teachers who can instruct English learners. We dug further into data from the National Center for Education Statistics to find out how the rate of English learners enrolled in public schools has changed over time.

Miami English Recognized as Dialect

A new dialect has been found to be emerging in Miami—the distinct vernacular is a heavily Spanish-influenced dialect of American English influenced by decades of integration of Spanish speakers. 

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