Teaching English as a Second Language
Web Resources
The following resources are good places to begin to look for information about K-12 education of English language learners, government policy, and recent research findings. This is a very partial list, and the web addresses may have changed. If you have suggestions about possible additions to this list, please contact Linda Houts-Smith houtsli@mnstate.edu
Standards
Each state has developed standards for both teachers of ESL and ESL students. In addition, TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) along with NCATE (National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education) has developed standards, as well. In some cases, states have used the NCATE/TESOL standards as the basis for the state standards, and in other cases, states have developed their own standards. Click standards for teachers to link to selected states, or click for student standards for links to selected states.
Professional Organizations
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is the professional organization for teachers of English language learners. Members of TESOL teach in a variety of settings, including public schools, intensive language centers, post-secondary institutions, and abroad. The organization hosts an annual conference, which moves from year-to-year, and a job clearinghouse service is also offered to members, where employers can post positions, and members can search for jobs. The organization also publishes newsletters, books, and other research. Their website contains a range of information, including material about becoming professionally qualified. www.tesol.org
MinneTESOL is the local affiliate of TESOL for those who live and work in Minnesota. Local affiliates are generally regional organizations of professionals in the same field, often organized into state groups. MinneTESOL holds an annual conference in the fall. www.minnetesol.org
Dakota TESL is the local affiliate of TESOL for those who work and live in North or South Dakota. Local affiliates are generally reginal organizations of professionals in the same field, often organized into state groups. Dakota TESL has recently reestablished a conference that takes place in the fall. http://www.dtesl.blogspot.com/
The National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education sends a monthly e-mail publication about a variety of issues that affect English language learners. Recent topics include a framework for assessment of ESOL/Special Education Learners, successful models of home-school collaboration in the Hispanic community, and research on effective language arts instruction. In addition to giving descriptions of these topics, resources in the form of websites and journal articles are always listed.
To subscribe to this e-mail publication, go to
http://www.ncbe.gwu.edu/newsline/outlook/
The Center for Applied Linguistics is a non-profit research organization investigating a wide range of issues connected to language and education. Their excellent website contains information about current research findings, what we know about language learning so far, as well as links to many other sites.
The National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Their website contains an on-line library, access to databases, and other links. For example, one part of the library contains articles and web resources covering all aspects of curriculum and instruction designed to help linguistically and culturally diverse learners reach challenging academic standards in early childhood and K-12 programs.
The National Association of Bilingual Education promotes (amazingly enough) bilingual education. They have information about current legislation, publications in the field, as well as links to other sources.
The website of the Linguistic Minority Research Institute of the University of California has information on research projects, including printable reports on topics such as how long it takes English language learners to learn English and review of research on the instruction of English language learners.