Supporting Dual Language Learners in Early Childhood Classrooms

Supporting Dual Language Learners in Early Childhood Classrooms

Learning objectives: As a result of attending this workshop, participants will be able to:

•Highlight the unique characteristics of the dual language learners

•Implement strategies to collect information, communicate, and engage families

•Create a map that allows teachers to locate the sociocultural context of DLLs

•Highlight the crucial role of the educator in second language acquisition

Description: Dual Language Learners are a fast growing population in our classrooms. Consequently, learning to effectively respond to their developmental and learning needs can greatly enhance social inclusion, second language acquisition, and prepare them for school success. This training gives participants a deeper understanding of the unique language development trajectory ofDual Language Learners, highlights the crucial role of home language in early English language and literacy development,and engages participants in identifying tips and strategies for intentional teaching.

Topic / Description / Method(s) of presentation / Visual aids & other resources
Opening Activity: Self-Reflection / Introduce yourself to one or two participants and Share what brings you to this topic / Protocol: Block Party combined with “meet and greet” of participants / Music with a fun beat!
Welcome & Presenter Introductions. Session overview /

• Presenters introduce themselves
• Share what brings them to this specific topic
• Go over objectives

/ Lecture / PP
Highlight the unique characteristics of the dual language learners /

• Describe DLLs’ unique language development trajectory focusing on the fact that children can learn two or more languages
• Children do it all over the world! Learning two languages does not cause confusion or language delays
• Overview the positive impact of dual language learning in socio emotional, cognitive, literacy and approaches to learning development.

/ Interactive Lecture / PP
Small Group discussion and sharing / How has your community changed in the past few years with regard to families who are linguistically diverse? / None
Presenter overviews Implement strategies to collect information, communicate, and engage families /

• Describe the role of home language in early English language and literacy development.
• Talk about the important for children to maintain their home language
• Provide ideas to incorporate DLLs’ home language into everyday routines
• Strategies to collect information from families

/ Interactive lecture / PP
Activity: Individual reflection and small group sharing / Create a home language survey:
•Participants think about the questions they want answers to and why
•How they plan to deliver the survey
•Engagement technics for families / Group work / None
Presenter overviews the sociocultural context of DLLs / Overview the concept of sociocultural context and its impact on language development / Bell or timer
Markers
Easel paper
Recorder for each group
Activity / Using vignette to locate the socio cultural context
Presenter overviews
The role of the educator in second language acquisition /

• Introduce the topic with a quote about teacher’s power in the learning environment
• Talk about the role of the teacher in planning for instruction
• Strategies to use in the (visuals, cultural artifacts, affirming environment, family engagements, and individualized support, etc.).
• resources on usinghome languageas a support in early childhood environments

/ Interactive Lecture (presenter pauses to ask for questions, suggestions, clarifications and comments as needed) / Hand-outs:
Individual reflection and debrief / What are the challenges and possibilities with regard to the instruction of dual language learners?
Ending notes: it is all about communication, relationships, and caring!!!!
Last comments, questions and evaluations / Action Priority

Materials needed: PowerPoint, training handouts, posted notes, markers, and table in the back for resources, easel paper, tape, note paper attendance list (name, email, and phone) and candy!

Olga’s bio:

Olga Neira nació en Bogotá, Colombia. Ha estado en el campo del Cuidado de Niños por 14 años. Ella tiene una Licenciatura en Artes y Humanidades con una especialización en Medios de Comunicación. Al comienzo de su trabajo, en el campo del cuidado de niños, Olga fue Proveedora de Cuidado Infantil Familiar por cerca de 8 años y después trabajó como Asistente Administrativa de Head Start por algo más de tres años. Actualmente, trabaja como Consejera Bilingüe de Desarrollo Profesional en WECA, dicta clases sobre Educación Infantil en la Escuela Técnica de Madison, WI y es una entrenadora de “TheRegistry”.

OlgaNeirais originally fromBogota,Colombia. She hasbeen in the fieldofChild Carefor 14 years.She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Artswitha major inMass Communication.At the beginning ofher workin the field ofChild Care,Olga was a Family Child CareProviderfor about 8years, and then she workedasanAdministrative AssistantinHead Startfor morethan three years.She currently worksas BilingualProfessional Development Counselor atWECA, she teachesEarly Childhood courses at the Technical College inMadisonWI, and she is The Registry PDAS trainer.