Ingrid T. Colón, researcher for New America, has recently published  an article on translanguaging and its effects on bilingual education. Translanguaging, as members of TWIN-CS are well-aware, is the process by which “bilingual students use their languages in conjunction [with another language]… rather than keeping them separate.” Translanguaging and its use in the bilingual classroom … Continue reading The Importance of Translanguaging for Bilingual Learners

Tan Huynh, contributing writer for Edutopia, has written a brief article addressing possible ways to support English Language Learners (ELLs) in your classroom. Using the analogy of “it takes a village to raise a child,” Huynh argues that “the village elders had better work well together, especially when it comes to raising children with different … Continue reading Ways to Support Language Learning Students

Contributing writer Wendy Farr has written an article for Edutopia titled “Working With Dually Classified Learners.” The article offers practical strategies for dually-identified students –  English language learners (ELLs) who are also students with special needs – who have specific and unique needs in the classroom. As background, Farr acknowledges recent U.S. Department of Education … Continue reading Teaching Dually Classified Learners: Bilingualism and Special Education

The Conversation, a nonprofit online research journal, has published an article about autism and its possible relation to bi/multilingualism. University of Cambridge’s researchers Katie Howard, Jenny Gibson, and Napoleon Katsos purport that bilingualism may be beneficial for children with autism, as their research has found that “bilingualism has no negative effect on autistic traits, or … Continue reading Bilingualism Found to be Beneficial for Autistic Children

EducationDive, an online resource that provides context and clarify to esoteric educational research, offers insight into a recent report by New America that suggests “Some states’ teaching standards lack details on cultural responsiveness.” The “dive brief” explains that teaching standards in all 50 states “include some reference to showing respect for students’ cultural diversity or … Continue reading New America report: Cultural Responsiveness Needed In Teaching Standards

Karissa Knox Sorrell of Edutopia has written an informative article that details “4 Simple Ways to Support English Learners’ Comprehension,” with useful strategies to bolster ELL understanding “in any class.” Visual Cues Imaging will “clarify meaning and encourage understanding,” especially in terms of vocabulary. Knox Sorrell suggests coupling important vocabulary with pictures, a strategy she … Continue reading From Edutopia: Four Ways to Support ELL Comprehension

In a brief article published by EducationWeek, contributing writer Daarel Burnette II discusses Rhode Island’s newest choice for the commissioner of education. Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo recommended Angélica Infante-Green as the state’s next commissioner of education. Infante-Green is an expert on English Language Learner communities, a first-generation immigrant, and originally hails from New York. According to … Continue reading Rhode Island Names Bilingual Educator Next State Commissioner

In a recent New York Times article, the French Embassy’s cultural counselor, Ms. Bénédicte de Montlaur, argues for the proliferation, not the elimination, of language programs in the United States. According to Ms. de Montlaur, the Modern Language Association (MLA), “from 2013 to 2016, colleges across the United States cut 651 foreign language programs,” with … Continue reading Keep Foreign Language Programs: An Op-Ed on Language Learning from the NYTimes

In an older, though still very much relevant, publication by Colorín Colorado, researchers Nancy Cloud, Judah Lakin, Erin Leininger, and Laura Maxwell provide a resource titled “Before- & After-School Support for Adolescent ELLs.” This resource outlines effective programs and specific elements of those programs that “assist [ELLs] with their academics and acclimate them to the … Continue reading Six Ways to Strengthen Extended Day Programs for ELLs from Colorín Colorado

For those interested, Colorín Colorado has an outstanding resource for supporting immigrant students and families. Titled “Ten Strategies for Supporting Immigrant Students and Families,” this resource delineates 10 key strategies: Help families keep their emergency contact information updated. Ensure all staff understand immigrant students’ rights. Let all students and families know that they are welcome. … Continue reading Ten Strategies for Supporting Immigrant Students and Families from Colorín Colorado