The Intensive English Institute at the University of Maine is looking for volunteers!  If you have one free hour per week and would like to meet with an international student to help them practice speaking English, please contact Erin-Kate Sousa. This is a great way to volunteer and meet interesting from Brazil, Chile, China, India, France, Libya, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, S. Korea, Thailand, Venezuela, and more!

If you have implemented a novel approach to educating English-language learners that shows promise, the National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition would like to know about it. The clearinghouse has a contract with the U.S. Department of Education to support states in how they use federal dollars for English-language-acquisition programs. The clearinghouse has called for educators to write about their innovations with ELLs in 300 words or less and submit them for review. (Hat tip to the Center for Applied Second Language Studies at the University of Oregon for publicizing the call for submissions.) The clearinghouse will select innovations to post on its web site.

So far, the clearinghouse has posted a description of one innovation, the recognition of the bilingual skills of students by some California schools with a “seal of biliteracy” that appears on the transcript of graduating seniors. The seal recognizing students’ competence in two languages is now given out in 37 school districts, including the school district of Albuquerque, N.M.

A 3-day residential CAL Summer Institute at the University of Maine
Tuesday, June 28 through Thursday, June 30, 2011
CEUs will be available through the University of Maine
Download the Flyer for More Information

Please register online no later than June 13, 2011
(Register early! Space is limited and based on a first come basis with full payment)

Learn how to provide effective reading instruction to ELLs in grades K-8 at the upcoming three-day Direct Strategies Institute using CAL’s widely used What’s Different? professional development program. The training will provide participants with an understanding of the methodology and strategies for teaching English language learners (ELLs) how to read. This research based curriculum incorporates key findings from the National Reading Panel (2000) and the National Literacy Panel (2006).  The three-day What’s Different? Direct Strategies Institute is designed for elementary and middle school teachers as well as school administrators who want to ensure reading progress on the part of ELLs. CAL encourages teams of ELL, reading, and classroom teachers.

For $250 per person you will receive:

• Three nights of UMaine lodging (6/27 -6/29) and nine meals (combination of breakfast, lunch and dinner). Single lodging is available for an additional $60.
• The What’s Different? Study Guide with step-by-step guidance on how to use and adapt effective reading strategies for ELLs.
• An understanding of the similarities and differences between teaching reading to ELLs and native English speakers.
• Effective practical strategies for teaching reading to ELLs in the areas of fluency, comprehensibility, vocabulary development, phonemic awareness, and comprehension.

Payments should be made out to Treasurer, State of Maine and mailed to the attention of Nancy Lamontagne, Maine Dept. of Education, 23 State House Station, Augusta, 04333 Cancellation for full refunds will be permitted with written notice prior to June 13, 2011.

Content Questions:  Gail Benvenuta, 624-6716
Registration Questions:  Nancy Lamontagne, 624-6822

Registration is limited, so don’t delay!

Help TESOL advocate for education policies that matter to you, your students, and the field! Join your colleagues from across the United States in Washington, DC on June 6-7 for TESOL Advocacy Day 2011. This year’s all-new expanded program includes integrated advocacy training activities that you’ll use when you visit Capitol Hill and back at home.  This year, TESOL advocates will discuss the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). By attending Advocacy Day, you will:

• Learn about the inner workings of Congress.
• Receive hands-on training on the fundamentals of advocacy that you can take back to your affiliate and community.
• Share information with your members of Congress about the impact of ESEA on your school and community.
• Gain knowledge about the current political climate and trends as they relate to TESOL’s priorities.

For the first time, registration is open to all TESOL members! Your registration fee of $150.00 covers Training, Briefing Materials, and most meals during the event.

Check out the new ESL in Maine Blog!

Discussion has been floating around the State since the NNETESOL conference last Fall about having a Blog that allows teachers (and others) a means of direct sharing of ideas, best practices, troubleshooting with peers and answers to questions posed through our ESL Educators listserve.  Well, Bloggers-R-Us!  Nicole Lesperance from up in Strong and Ina Demers from down in Portland are online and ready to go!  Nicole has been working extra hours to set up the Blog site and make it live and welcoming.  Nicole and Ina will be co-moderators for this Blog.  There are already 8 topics posted (some already with comments), awaiting your input and exchange.  The “How to Post” section gives directions for participating.  Straightaway simple! And please, spread the word! This blog will be a great resource to many!

Questions?  Nicole or Ina