In the Minnesota adult basic education system, ESL learners (as defined by the National Reporting System) make up roughly half of our students statewide. Of course, there are English learners in non-ESL (ABE) levels as well! Language learners do not check their language issues at the door when they test out of ESL-specific offerings in programs.

In addition, learning academic language, the language of access in our society, is a second language for everyone. Offering strong language development is a key component of our work in ABE, across all proficiency levels and teaching contexts. In response, ATLAS offers a number of professional development (PD) activities to support language development.

Language & Literacy Institute

One of our primary activities for improving ESL instruction is hosting the Language & Literacy Institute, a two-day, intensive training that takes place in late January each year. The large event brings together reading, writing, and ESL educators in ABE to collaborate with and learn from one another. The Language & Literacy Institute is organized by the Language & Literacy Advisory Team, and we offer an array of  workshops on reading and literacy instruction topics that have emerged as priorities in the state. In addition, we offer the CCR (College & Career Readiness) English Language Arts (ELA) Foundation workshop in conjunction with this event each year.

Language Instruction Study Circles

Study circles are small learning groups of practitioners who meet several times with a facilitator to learn together around a specific topic. Prior to each session, participants read a selection of relevant research on the study circle topic, and they may be assigned written or classroom-based reflection tasks to complete as well. ATLAS offers a number of language instruction study circles, which are described below.

Study Circle Facilitator Guides

Practitioners are also encouraged to make use of our Study Circle Facilitator Guides, which provide step-by-step suggestions for conducting study circles no matter where your program is based:

Study Circles

Pronunciation Study Circle

This 9-hour study circle is a professional learning activity for Adult Basic Education ESL teachers who are interested in integrating effective pronunciation instruction into their regular teaching practice. Study circle participants analyze the pronunciation needs of learners with diverse cultural backgrounds and English ability levels, explore relevant research and its implications for targeted pronunciation instruction, and actively engage in pronunciation instruction within their own teaching practices. Participants engage in both at-home reading and reflective classroom tasks that inform and deepen discussions and allow for maximum professional growth.

Integrating Language & Numeracy Study Circle

The purpose of this 9-hour study circle is to advance Adult Basic Education teachers’ ability to effectively and confidently integrate numeracy instruction and English language instruction. It is appropriate for teachers of all levels of English and math within Minnesota ABE, as teachers adapt tasks for their own levels and classrooms. Study circle participants explore relevant research and its implications for best practices in the classroom, as well as engaging in both at-home reading and reflective classroom tasks that inform and deepen discussions and allow for maximum professional growth.

Beginning ESL Literacy Study Circle I

This 9-hour study circle is a professional learning activity for teachers of low-literate Adult Basic Education ESL students – those learners with little or no first-language literacy. With a special focus on reading development for these learners, teachers explore relevant research and its implications for best practices in the classroom. Study circle participants engage in both at-home reading and reflective classroom tasks that inform and deepen discussions and allow for maximum professional growth.

Low-Literacy Adult ESL Study Circle II: Next Steps in Designing Balanced Instruction

This 9-hour study circle is a professional learning activity for Adult Basic Education teachers of low-literate adult ESL students – those learners with little or no first-language literacy. A follow-up to Low-Literacy Adult ESL Study Circle I, this circle focuses on balancing oral and written skills instruction in the classroom, in addition to establishing strong instructional routines that guide students to more independent and effective learning. Study circle participants explore relevant research and its implications for best practices in the classroom, as well as engaging in both at-home reading and reflective classroom tasks that inform and deepen discussions and allow for maximum professional growth.

Advisory Teams

Language & Literacy Advisory Team

The Language & Literacy Advisory Team (LLATé) is an ATLAS-sponsored team designed to strengthen language, reading, and writing instruction in Minnesota through relevant, meaningful, and effective professional development for practitioners.

The Advisory Team is responsible for visioning and the creating a long-term strategic plan for language & literacy PD in Minnesota, as well as specific tasks yearly to support established PD efforts, such as the January Language & Literacy Institute.

New ESL Resources

Building Sentence-Writing Fluency Through Timed Writing Practice

This spotlight features two resources from the Iowa Reading Research Center that focus on building sentence-level writing fluency through timed, repeated writing practice. It includes an article explaining the approach and an example lesson plan that shows how timed writing sessions can be used and adapted in the classroom.

WisTech Open

Building on more than 20 years of high-quality digital learning materials, WisTech Open brings together popular Wisc-Online learning objects—such as assessments, animations, and interactive tools—alongside new resources that support learning across subject areas. The free platform can be used in the classroom or for independent learning by students, educators, and lifelong learners.

Spotlight on Total Physical Response

See how Total Physical Response (TPR) connects language to physical movement, helping learners understand and remember new vocabulary. By pairing actions with words, TPR lowers the affective filter and reduces anxiety, making it especially helpful for beginning learners. This approach can be used as a short warm-up activity or as part of a lesson to reinforce meaning and support long-term retention.
ESL

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Latest ESL Articles

2026 Language & Literacy Institute: Registration Now Open!

Join us for the 2026 Language & Literacy (virtual) Institute on January 29-30, 2026! This two-day conference offers language and literacy-related workshops that you will NOT want to miss, including featured presentations by Jayme Adelson-Goldsten, Betsy Parrish, and Michelle Benegas. If you teach any aspect of language and literacy—at any level—this event is for you! Read More

The Human Library Experience at LESLLA 2025: Centering Learner Voices Through Identity Texts

At the 2025 LESLLA Conference in Québec City, attendees took part in a Living Human Library, where LESLLA learners from Québec shared identity texts created with support from their teacher and a Université Laval research team. Learners presented personal stories highlighting their languages, backgrounds, and lived experiences. The space became a lively hub of dialogue, curiosity, and cultural exchange. Read More

Upcoming ABE Events

January 15, 2026 2:00 pm–3:15 pm
ATLAS
Online

Minnesota State – ABE Corequisite Affinity Group Meetings

Online

Registration Deadline: Day of Event (see below) Developing and advancing effective College and ABE co-req classroom partnerships is the business of ABE and Minnesota State educators working together through periodic Affinity Group (AG) meetings. The Affinity Group’s composition by role includes ABE Educators, Faculty, College Deans and Administrators,… Learn More

Online
January 16, 2026 10:00 am–11:15 am
ATLAS
Online

Minnesota State – ABE Corequisite Affinity Group Meetings

Online

Registration Deadline: Day of Event (see below) Developing and advancing effective College and ABE co-req classroom partnerships is the business of ABE and Minnesota State educators working together through periodic Affinity Group (AG) meetings. The Affinity Group’s composition by role includes ABE Educators, Faculty, College Deans and Administrators,… Learn More

Online
January 16, 2026 10:00 am–11:00 am
SW ABE
Online

Support Staff Coffee Break – Everything You Need to Know About Social Security Numbers But Didn’t Know to Ask!

Online

Registration Deadline: FRI. 1/16/26 Venue: Online (see details below) The Support Staff Online Coffee Break Series begins the year 2026 with Jenny Schlukebier (SiD) and Rachel Stiglitz (Ramsey County Correctional Facility) talking about the important aspects of Social Security number collection and explaining why the information is so… Learn More

Online