Phonics in Adult ESL: Recommendations, Activities and Resources
2023-06-16 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Literacy Minnesota – main office, 700 Raymond Ave., Ste. 180, Saint Paul, MN, 55114, United States
Registration Deadline: FRI. 6/16/23
Phonics–the knowledge of the sounds letters make when they are combined to make words–is essential to beginning literacy and beginning level English language instruction. But, many teachers and tutors lack the knowledge, confidence and resources to teach the topic. Attend this session to learn why phonics instruction is important and leave with several ideas for phonics activities and resources to bring back to your teaching and tutoring sessions.
This session will be most useful to tutors and teachers working with beginning literacy, low beginning and high beginning English language learners.

Teaching Reading Vocabulary Remotely or In Person
2023-06-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: FRI. 6/16/23
Vocabulary is everyone’s favorite reading component! And helping students master reading vocabulary is a key to helping them master comprehension.
But how many words should you teach? And which words are the most important? What strategies are best for helping students learn new words? How do you get students to make new words part of their receptive and productive vocabularies? This webinar will focus on the theory and best practice behind choosing, teaching and reviewing reading vocabulary. You’ll get a chance to learn about (and practice) a variety of activities that can be done remotely or in person. Links to great online resources will also be provided.
This workshop will be most useful for instructors working with low-intermediate to advanced readers.

Developing and Practicing Reading Fluency
2023-06-19 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 6/19/23
Come and review the important role of fluency in reading instruction. We will discuss the three key components of reading fluency and look at a variety of activities tutors and teachers can try. We will talk about the mechanics of doing fluency practice via Zoom, Google Meet, Teams or any other remote tutoring tool (including the phone!). Participants will have plenty of opportunity to ask questions and share resources.
This workshop will be most useful for instructors working with low-intermediate to advanced readers.

Tips and Strategies for Online Instruction
2023-06-21 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 6/21/23
During the early days of the pandemic, remote instruction was a necessary evil that many begrudgingly endured. But as the options for in-person instruction opened up, many learners chose to continue to learn in an online environment. Join this session to learn and see modeled tips and strategies for teaching and tutoring online, and determine how to bring them back to your context. This session is appropriate for educators working with both English language learners and adult education students. (Note: This session does not include technical how-to skills for using Zoom or other platforms.)

Core Training Module 4: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Materials
2023-06-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 6/27/23
Participants will engage in a couple of classroom activities to experience scaffolding, checking comprehension and the gradual release of responsibility. These aspects of teaching and tutoring are then defined, explained further and participants get opportunities to practice them.

Understanding the Somali People: History, Culture and Migration to Minnesota
2023-06-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 6/28/23
Presenter: Jaylani Hussein is currently the executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN). Hussein worked as the Community Liaison Officer at Metro State University and as a Planner for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. In 2013, he created Zeila Consultants to develop and offer cross-cultural training workshops on East African cultures. Hussein has presented on the Somali Culture to diverse public and private organizations across the US. He specializes in the areas of urban planning, community development, youth development (with over 8 years’ experience in working in juvenile treatment centers for court adjudicated youth), legal and civil rights.
Description: Somalis are estimated to be the largest African immigrant group in Minnesota with approximately 75,000-100,000 residing in the state (source: McKnight Foundation).
This training covers:

Pre- and post-modern history of the Somali people.
Culture.
Migration to Minnesota.
Cultural gaps between the Somali and American communities.
Recommendations for outreach to Somali community members.

This training will be recorded.

Comprehension Strategies for Intermediate-Level Readers
2023-06-29 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: THU. 6/29/23
Research shows that explicitly teaching a set of comprehension strategies is a great way to help intermediate-level readers maximize their understanding of texts. Come learn a handful of great comprehension tools that will help students develop critical thinking skills and comprehension skills.

Essential Zoom Skills for Online Instruction
2023-06-30 13:00 - 15:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: FRI. 6/30/23
Join this hands-on session to learn and practice essential Zoom skills for the virtual classroom that may not be in your repertoire if your experience with the platform is limited to meetings with friends and colleagues at work.
The workshop will cover:
1. Turning off participants’ cameras and microphones.
2. Re-naming participants.
3. Sharing your screen.
4. Annotating your screen.
5. Setting up and visiting breakout rooms.

Core Training Module 1: Overview of Minnesota Adult Education and Program Accountability
2023-07-05 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 7/5/23
Participants learn about Adult Basic Education programming in Minnesota, demographics of learners, instructional content standards as well as initial and on-going assessment. This session wraps up with learner motivations, barriers and persistence.

WebChat with MDE
2023-07-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 7/12/23

If you need ASL interpretation for this event, please contact Wendy Her at info@literacyactionnetwork.org by Wednesday, June 28, 2023.

Web Chat with MN ABE is a webinar discussion led by state ABE staff from the Minnesota Department of Education. Web Chat webinars provide updates from the state ABE office on new and emerging issues and an opportunity for local ABE staff to ask questions and provide information to the Minnesota Adult Ed state team.
Topics will include:

August reporting submission
State aid calculation and service disruption
Training costs and federal funding
Staff training policy
NRS Testing

For those unable to attend, the meeting and materials will be available on the Literacy Action Network website after the meeting: http://literacyactionnetwork.org/supplemental-service-activities/web-chat-with-mnabe.

Core Training Module 2: Understanding Adult Learners
2023-07-12 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 7/12/23
Participants develop their personal cultural awareness and learn how expectations around school culture shape how people teach and learn. Guiding principles for effectively delivering instruction to adults are also covered. Finally, participants increase their sensitivity to the challenges of learning English and developing literacy as an adult.

Working with Literacy and Beginning Level ESL Learners
2023-07-17 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 7/17/23
Learners with limited English and literacy skills have unique needs for in-person and remote instruction. Participants will learn best practices and tips for success at this level. They’ll also get several ideas for routines, activities and resources to use in their classes and tutoring sessions.

Racial Equity 101
2023-07-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 7/19/23
Join presenter Jimmie Heags, Jr., MA, LSC, LPCC, LADC, ACS, for this session that exposes how race is defined and how racism impacts individuals and institutions. The session will provide learners with a framework for understanding and disrupting the attitudes and structures that perpetuate inequality. Participants will be introduced to basic interventions to identify and disrupt racialized mindsets and practices that promote equity. Interventions will include how to be an anti-racist.
Objectives include the following:
1) Define the nature of race and racism and their origins and impact.
2) Examine the concepts of white privilege and white fragility.
3) Understand the nature of microaggressions and their impact.
4) Develop interventions for disrupting racist mindsets.

Core Training Module 3: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Learners
2023-07-19 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 7/19/23
Participants learn how to apply teaching practices that support language and skill development for all learners. These practices include ensuring that instruction is learner centered, using an appropriate level of teacher talk and delivering error correction.

Understanding the Somali People: History, Culture and Migration to Minnesota
2023-07-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: THU. 7/20/23
Somalis are estimated to be the largest African immigrant group in Minnesota with approximately 75,000-100,000 residing in the state (source: McKnight Foundation).
This training covers:

Pre- and post-modern history of the Somali people.
Culture.
Migration to Minnesota.
Cultural gaps between the Somali and American communities.
Recommendations for outreach to Somali community members.

This training will be recorded. If you know you cannot attend this session live, there is no need to register. A separate registration for the recorded version will be made available after the session.

Teaching Intermediate Alphabetics
2023-07-25 13:00 - 15:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 7/25/23
Teaching intermediate alphabetics (syllables, prefixes, suffixes, root words) is a great way to help students build their decoding and comprehension skills. Come learn a variety of fun and easy-to-use routines and activities for helping intermediate-level readers develop these important tools.

Core Training Module 4: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Materials
2023-07-26 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 7/26/23
Participants will engage in a couple of classroom activities to experience scaffolding, checking comprehension and the gradual release of responsibility. These aspects of teaching and tutoring are then defined, explained further and participants get opportunities to practice them.

Writing Activities for Beginning Literacy and Beginning English Language Learners
2023-07-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Literacy Minnesota – main office, 700 Raymond Ave., Ste. 180, Saint Paul, MN, 55114, United States
Registration Deadline: THU. 7/27/23
While most in our society take the ability to write for granted, it can be laborious for ESL learners with little experience with this skill. Attend this webinar to learn about and try out engaging, interactive activities for English Language Learners in Beginning Literacy and Beginning level classes. Ideas for in-person, remote, one-on-one, all-class, as well as low-tech and no-tech options will be covered.

Rob's 5.5 Tips for Designing Great Workshop Presentations
2023-07-31 14:00 - 15:15 | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 7/31/23
Are you getting ready to present at Summer Institute? Do you want to learn how to design effective presentations? Are you looking to make your great workshops even greater? Join Literacy Minnesota training director Rob Podlasek as he shares 5 1/2 easy-to-implement tips to keep your presentations rolling and your audience members happy.
This session is appropriate for novice presenters as well as experienced trainers (with the workshop evaluation scars to prove it). As an added bonus, we will share a variety of presenter resources that are available on the ATLAS website.

Reading Activities for Beginning Literacy and Beginning English Language Learners
2023-08-04 13:00 - 15:00 | Literacy Minnesota – main office, 700 Raymond Ave., Ste. 180, Saint Paul, MN, 55114, United States
Registration Deadline: FRI. 8/4/23
Teaching and tutoring very beginning level ESL readers can be intimidating for volunteers and professional teachers alike. Attend this webinar to get practical activities and ideas for one-on-one, remote and in-person instruction with tech and no-tech options. Leave feeling ready to provide your learners with meaningful and effective reading activities.

Burlington English Lunch and Learn: Xue's Office Hour
2023-08-08 12:30 - 13:15 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 8/8/23
You will be able to join Xue’s open office hour to come with any questions or issues that you have. If you need help with a technical issue, Xue will be able to walk you through and train you in how to resolve the issue. If you need teaching tips or strategies, we can brainstorm in this session. If you need training in a specific area of Burlington English, Xue will be able to help you navigate through the features.

Developing and Practicing Reading Fluency
2023-08-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 8/9/23
Come and review the important role of fluency in reading instruction. We will discuss the three key components of reading fluency and look at a variety of activities tutors and teachers can try. We will talk about the mechanics of doing fluency practice via Zoom, Google Meet, Teams or any other remote tutoring tool (including the phone!). Participants will have plenty of opportunity to ask questions and share resources.
This workshop will be most useful for instructors working with low-intermediate to advanced readers.

Assessment Training for New Staff – CASAS Implementation Training (Online)
2023-08-11 09:00 - 12:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: THU. 8/10/23
Register now for a virtual CASAS Implementation Training!
Join your state trainers virtually for a CASAS Implementation training on Friday, August 11, 2023, 9:00 to 12:00 noon. This training provides an overview of the approved CASAS tests. It will cover selection and administration of the appropriate CASAS test, interpretation of test scores, and measurement of student progress. This training is geared toward newer users of the assessments. Participants who complete this training will be certified to administer CASAS multiple choice assessments.
For more information on this training, contact Marty Olsen – martha.olsen@gmail.com

Assessment Training for New Staff – TABE Implementation Training (Online)
2023-08-11 12:30 - 15:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: THU. 8/10/23
Register now for a virtual TABE Implementation Training!
Join your state trainers virtually for a TABE Implementation training on Friday, August 11, 2023, 12:30-3:30 pm. This training provides an overview of TABE 11 & 12. It will cover selection and administration of the appropriate level test, interpretation of test scores, and measurement of student progress. This training is geared toward newer users of the assessments. Participants who complete this training will be certified to administer TABE multiple choice assessments.
For more information on this training, contact Marty Olsen – martha.olsen@gmail.com

Summer Institute 2023
2023-08-15 11:00 - 2023-08-18 12:00 | Park Event Center – Waite Park, 500 Division St, Waite Park, 56387
Pre-Conference Registration Deadline: FRI. 7/14/23
General Conference Registration Deadline: FRI. 7/14/23 (Early Bird pricing through FRI. 6/30/23)
Summer Institute is Minnesota’s annual statewide Adult Basic Education conference sponsored by Literacy Action Network. After three years, we are gathering once again in person from August 15- 18 at the Park Event Center in Waite Park, MN.
This year’s conference includes:

pre-conference workshops
a keynote from our very own Brandy Logan
an MDE update
LAN’s Award Luncheon
35 breakout sessions
bingo
happy hour with live music from Lonesome Dan
professional headshots
…and more!

Burlington English Lunch and Learn: Model: Going through an In-Class Lesson
2023-08-22 12:30 - 13:15 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 8/22/23
In this session, we will take a look at a Burlington English lesson plan paired with an In-Class Lesson. Xue will model how to present different strategies for how to complete the activities and how you might complete them in your classroom. Feel free to come with questions and problems you’ve been experiencing and we can brainstorm how you might overcome them!
NOTE: Attendees must have current login credentials for their BE account.

Solidarity Not Charity: Challenging the White Savior Complex in Adult Education
2023-08-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 8/22/23
What is “white saviorism” and how does it show up in adult education? During this session, participants will explore a shared definition of the term “white savior complex.” We will strategize ways to address this concept both in the context of working with adult learners and on a personal level. Through the use of educational anecdotes, scenarios, and personal introspection, participants will consider how perspectives on this topic have evolved in recent years and the impact of white savior complex on our learners.

Teaching Reading Vocabulary Remotely or In Person
2023-08-24 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: THU. 8/24/23
Vocabulary is everyone’s favorite reading component! And helping students master reading vocabulary is a key to helping them master comprehension.
But how many words should you teach? And which words are the most important? What strategies are best for helping students learn new words? How do you get students to make new words part of their receptive and productive vocabularies? This webinar will focus on the theory and best practice behind choosing, teaching and reviewing reading vocabulary. You’ll get a chance to learn about (and practice) a variety of activities that can be done remotely or in person. Links to great online resources will also be provided.
This workshop will be most useful for instructors working with low-intermediate to advanced readers.

Burlington English Lunch and Learn: How to Lead Student Orientations for Your Own Class
2023-08-29 12:30 - 13:15 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 8/29/23
In this session, we will go over tools and resources for how you can lead your own student orientations for your class/program when onboarding new students to using Burlington English. We will go over important features to focus on and common Q&As.
NOTE: Attendees must have current login credentials for their BE account.

Phonics in Adult ESL: Recommendations, Activities and Resources
2023-08-30 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 8/30/23
Phonics–the knowledge of the sounds letters make when they are combined to make words–is essential to beginning literacy and beginning level English language instruction. But, many teachers and tutors lack the knowledge, confidence and resources to teach the topic. Attend this session to learn why phonics instruction is important and leave with several ideas for phonics activities and resources to bring back to your teaching and tutoring sessions.
This session will be most useful to tutors and teachers working with beginning literacy, low beginning and high beginning English language learners.
