Description

DESCRIPTION

Teaching multilingual learners to read and spell English is strengthened when educators understand how a student’s first language can influence the way they learn English. In this workshop, participants will explore contrastive analysis as a practical tool for identifying similarities and differences between English and students’ other languages and using that information to make instruction more explicit and responsive.

Participants will examine common sound-spelling differences across languages, consider how those differences may influence pronunciation, phonemic awareness, decoding, spelling, and oral language, and practice applying contrastive analysis to classroom instruction. Educators will leave with a free Sound-Spelling Resource Kit containing ready-to-use resources for comparing English with other languages and supporting students through targeted, explicit instruction.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Explain the purpose of contrastive analysis and its role in supporting multilingual learners.
• Identify similarities and differences between English and students’ other languages that may influence literacy and language learning.
• Analyze sound and spelling patterns to anticipate potential areas of difficulty for multilingual learners.
• Apply contrastive analysis to plan explicit, responsive instruction in phonological awareness, phonics, pronunciation, and spelling.
• Use the Sound-Spelling Resource Kit to support instructional planning and classroom practice.
• Distinguish between language differences and instructional needs to avoid treating differences between languages as deficits.

NOTE:  Participants from SEEC/NESC Title III Consortium schools will receive a free Sound-Spelling Classroom Kit ($325 value). Non-Title III schools can register and will receive ordering information for the kits.

NOTE:  Participants will need a laptop computer.

DELIVERY:  This event will be delivered over one day Face-to-Face.

AUDIENCE:  ML Teachers; Special Educators; Title Teachers; Instructional Coaches

PRESENTER:  Dr. Kerri Whipple, SEEC Director of Literacy Services

CREDIT:  This opportunity is being offered for 4.5 hours of cafeteria credit.