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abc English Teacher Training
abc English is a collection of resources for teachers and tutors who work with adult and adolescent English learners who are developing basic literacy and language skills. abc English offers free Teacher Training resources which serve as asynchronous professional development opportunities. Training includes video examples of instructional techniques, a sample lesson outline and a teacher's guide as well as a Webinar video.
Teaching Grammar in Context Using Authentic Resources
This blog post unpacks the "why" and "how" of using authentic texts to teach grammar to learners, providing a variety of teaching approaches for readers to choose from, as well as real-life examples.
Notice and Wonder about Data: Using Slow Reveal Graphs
Participants in this workout work with slow reveal graphs to notice and wonder about data and experience the activity just as they would present it to students.
Math Practices in the Virtual Classroom
Participants in this workout have the opportunity to experience a task as a student (making origami shapes!), and to reflect on how to use this task with learners to develop a classroom culture (virtual or otherwise) that embeds the math practices.
Building Academic Vocabulary Knowledge with Semantic Maps
Participants in this workout will consider the types of knowledge needed to thoroughly know a word and use semantic maps to build understanding of academic vocabulary.
Finding Academic Vocabulary in a Text
Participants in this workout will analyze vocabulary in a text using 3 different online vocabulary tools, two aligned with the previous and current Academic Word Lists and one aligned with the first 2000 most common written words.
Making Sense of a Standard
Participants in this workout break apart a given standard into meaningful sections, and articulate the relationship between the content of the sections. They then brainstorm strategies, objectives and learning targets for a given standard.
Visible Thinking
Visible Thinking is a flexible and systematic research-based approach to integrating the development of students' thinking with content learning across subject matters. This website provides a convenient way to learn about Visible Thinking as well as thorough descriptions of the ideals, routines and activities that were developed from research in K-12 schools.
Teaching Grammar to Adult English Language Learners: Focus on Form
This brief from the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) provides a research-based rational as to why there is a need to teach grammar within a meaningful context. Teachers who struggle with questions of how much, when, and how to teach grammar will find this brief both informative and thought-provoking.
Teaching Language Through Content: CAL Resource Guides Online
This Resource Guide provides links to publications, websites, teaching resources, and email discussion groups that offer information about teaching language through content-based instruction in K–12 and adult ESL programs and in foreign language programs.
Supporting ELLs in PBL Projects
This article from Edutopia outlines how Project-Based Learning (PBL) is valuable for English Language Learners (ELLs) when it teaches academic vocabulary, encourages collaboration, scaffolds structure and function, allows assessment and differentiation, and leverages their native language.
Project-Based Learning: Buck Institute for Education
The Buck Institute for Education (BIE) website was created to show teachers how to use Project Based Learning (PBL) in all grade levels and subject areas. The website provides articles and books, research summaries on PBL, videos, a library of sample projects, downloadable teaching tools, and more.
Looking at the Bigger Picture: 7 Tips for Using Project Based Learning in the ESL Classroom
This article gives an overview of project-based learning, including why it is good for ESL students and what the teacher's role is. It also provides seven tips for successful project-based learning implementation in the ESL classroom.
Incorporating Goal-Setting in Adult ESL Classrooms
This PowerPoint outlines goal-setting projects and their results in beginning level adult ESL classrooms. Images of handouts and descriptions of activities are provided.
Learner Goal-Setting
This article addresses the question, "What can instructors do to help students set goals, monitor progress, and reach goals?" with research-backed strategies and suggestions for practitioners.
LINCS ESL Pro Module 3: Preparing English Learners for Work and Career Pathways
This self-paced professional development module from LINCS provides the foundational concepts related to designing and implementing an adult ELA program contextualized for career pathways.
3 Tips to Make Any Lesson More Culturally Responsive
This article by Zaretta Hammond discusses three easy strategies that teachers can use to leverage the brain’s memory systems and information processing structures and make their lessons more culturally responsive to the diverse learners in their classrooms.
New Resources
Transitions 101: ABE/Post-Secondary Partnerships
In this excerpt from the 90-minute Transitions 101 webinar, ATLAS and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) give an overview of hot topics related to ABE/post-secondary partnerships.
Video #8: Utilizing Learners’ Linguistic Toolboxes
This video deepens the conversation of the previous video “Intro to Translanguaging.” You can watch this one as a stand alone because we provide a brief review of the meaning of “translanguaging;” however, if you are looking for a deeper introduction, be sure to check out the previous video, #7. If you’re looking for practical translanguaging activities you can try, this is the video for you! We will take a look at vocabulary, writing and reading activities, plus discuss some additional things to consider during implementation.
Video #7: Intro to Translanguaging
A term circling a lot of language education spaces right now is “translanguaging”, but many of us aren’t really sure what this means. In this video, we will discuss its meaning of utilizing all of learners’ language skills to enhance the learning of a new target language. This includes GED and Career Pathways learners who speak English as their primary language, but they may speak a dialect that isn’t seen as “standard academic English.” All of these language skills are valuable. There are several reflection questions included because a key part of our work as educators is deeply reflecting on our own beliefs around languages.
Presenter Information
Get information about stipends, reimbursements, the MN Adult Ed policy on use of images in presentations, and other instructions for presenters.
MN Adult Ed YouTube Channel
The MN Adult Education YouTube Channel is a free online PD resource that you can use to explore teaching techniques and classroom ideas in action! Find out more in this MN ABE Connect newsletter article.
ATLAS Announcements & Future PD
Check out the latest list of ATLAS professional development announcements and opportunities! This is the document that is shared at all ATLAS events.
Virtual Meeting Resources
Find resources for conducting online meetings/events/presentations! You are welcome to use and adapt these materials to fit your own needs and context.
Upcoming ABE Events
March 17, 2025
6:30 pm–8:30 pm
Online
Volunteer Core Training Module 3: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Learners
Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 3/17/25 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. Learn More
Online
March 21, 2025
1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Online
Trauma-Informed Teaching Practices for Adult Learners Presented by Andrea Echelberger
Online
Registration Deadline: FRI. 3/21/25 Learning new languages and skills as an adult is a challenge for most people, and that challenge grows when trauma and stress are present. Trauma and chronic stress can come in many forms, and impact people’s ability to learn new skills and process information… Learn More
Online
March 24, 2025
6:30 pm–8:30 pm
Online
Volunteer Core Training Module 4: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Materials
Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 3/24/25 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. Learn More
Online