This course equips educators with the knowledge and tools to support Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) student populations in general education settings. Participants will explore theories of language acquisition while learning to implement research-based strategies, create progress monitoring tools, and assessments. Participants will engage in discussions, reflect on their instructional practices, and adapt strategies and activities to better support CLD students.

Required Texts:

• Biography-Driven Culturally Responsive Teaching: Honoring Race, Ethnicity, and Personal History by Socorro G. Herrera
• Long-Term Success for Experienced Multilinguals by Tan Huynh and Beth Skelton

Upon completion of this course, educators will be able to:

• Evaluate and integrate instructional materials that are culturally and linguistically responsive to support CLD students’ engagement and learning.
• Assess the effectiveness of formative, summative, and progress monitoring assessments for CLD students and modify them to ensure equitable access and accurate measurement of learning.
• Demonstrate an understanding of major language acquisition theories and apply them to instructional practices that support CLD students.
• Apply research-based instructional methods in their teaching practice, integrating scaffolding, comprehensible input, and culturally responsive techniques to enhance language acquisition for CLD students
• Design and implement lesson plans and learning activities that incorporate evidence-based language acquisition strategies to support CLD students’ language and academic development.