New resources to support immersion/dual language education

Dear Colleagues

I'm writing to share some new resources for immersion/dual language programs that were developed with the aid of USDE grant funding. Please feel free to share with others.

[1] Dual language and immersion (DLI) family education - for K-5 and Gr. 6-12 parents/families

https://carla.umn.edu/immersion/parentinfo/index.html

This site contains customizable materials to use for workshops with DLI parents/families. The materials were developed specifically for two-way immersion contexts, but can be modified for one-way and indigenous programs. Note that indigenous immersion-specific materials for parents/families are currently under development (in partnership with Anchorage School District) and will later be added. The site also contains additional information for parents/families - K-5 materials are available in English, Spanish and Hmong and Gr. 6-12 materials are available in English and Spanish. There will be a free informational presentation about the materials on Wednesday Oct. 13 from 12:00-1:00 - see below for more info and registration link.

[2] DLI-specific rubrics for teacher assessment

https://dliteachingrubrics.umn.edu/

This site contains detailed teacher assessment rubrics for preservice and inservice levels along with a self-assessment rubric. Many of you participated in a survey study some years ago that significantly informed the content of these rubrics. The rubrics are research-informed and were developed over 4 years, including piloting of the preservice rubric with the Univ of MN elementary licensure program in elementary ed with a focus on DLI. They are intended to be used with teachers in all types of DLI programs - one-way, two-way, indigenous, CLIL. There will be a free workshop session about the rubrics on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 10:00-11:30 - see below for more info and registration link.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions or wish to have further information.

Check out these online professional development opportunities for immersion educators! Free Online Presentation

Educating, Engaging, and Empowering DLI Parents and Families: Materials and Resources

Wednesday, October 13, 2021 12:00–1:00 p.m. (Central Time)

Parent or family engagement has been identified as one of the most crucial aspects influencing student achievement in schools (e.g., Henderson & Mapp, 2002). Educators working in well-implemented dual language and immersion (DLI) programs ensure that families are informed and engaged and play integral roles in their children’s education (Howard et al., 2018). Yet DLI programs need well-developed materials to educate families to ensure that they are able to play key roles in their children’s learning. To this end, we developed a DLI family education program specifically for two-way bilingual immersion programs, which can be modified for one-way and indigenous programs. Modules and interactive activities designed for face-to-face workshops for parents and families span four key topics: DLI Basics, Bilingualism & Biliteracy, The Challenges of DLI, and College & Career Opportunities. In this session, we will showcase samples of the materials and share program participant perspectives. We will also unveil a website (with materials in English, Spanish, and Hmong) that provides all the materials for the DLI family education workshops as well as additional support and information for DLI parents and parent educators. Presenters Maureen Curran-Dorsano is a retired French immersion teacher from Edina Public Schools. She worked for four years as the Coordinator of the Dual Language and Immersion Family Education project described in this session. Diane (Dee) Tedick is a Professor in the Second Language Education program at the University of Minnesota. She works with dual language and immersion (DLI) programs locally, nationally, and internationally. She coordinates the graduate certificate program in DLI and the M.Ed. in Language Immersion Education and is Principal Investigator on the USDE grant that supported the family education project described in this session. Check out other CARLA Presentations offered this fall.

Free Workshop for Immersion Educators

Unveiling New DLI-Specific Rubrics to Support Teacher Development

Saturday, December 4, 2021 10:00–11:30 a.m. (Central Time)

In this interactive workshop, Diane (Dee) Tedick and Cory Mathieu introduce their new dual language and immersion (DLI) specific Teacher Assessment Rubrics! The preservice, inservice, and self-assessment rubrics describe the pedagogical skills and knowledge that are unique to DLI contexts and necessary for promoting high levels of student academic achievement and language development. They are designed to support DLI teacher preparation and professional development. The rubrics are research-based, context-dependent, formative, developmental, and educative—ideally, teachers will learn new skills and practices by interacting with the rubrics. The workshop will include an introduction to the content of the rubrics and an associated workbook, an explanation of the development process, and substantial time for Q&A and discussion with colleagues about how the rubrics might be integrated into teacher education and K–12 DLI programs. Presenters: Diane (Dee) Tedick is a Professor of Second Language Education at the University of Minnesota. She is Principal Investigator on the USDE National Professional Development grant that supported the creation of these rubrics. Cory Mathieu is an Assistant Professor of Education at the University of Wisconsin—Green Bay. She received her Ph.D. in Second Language Education at the University of Minnesota where her research specialized in secondary dual language and immersion education. Learn more on the CARLA Workshop website.

Diane J. Tedick, Professor, Second Language Education

Distinguished University Teaching Professor University of Minnesota

https://www.cehd.umn.edu/people/djtedick/

New: Dual language and immersion teaching rubrics: dliteachingrubrics.umn.edu