PDF

April 2016

 MATSOL - Massachusetts Educators of English Language  Learners 

Table of Contents

  1. MATSOL News
  2. Community News
  3. Links & Resources
 
Submission Welcome
Submit an item for publication in the monthly MATSOL E-Bulletin. Details... 
 

MATSOL 2016 Conference 

May 4-6 - Framingham Hotel & Conference Center

We look forward to seeing our presenters and participants in May!

The following conference events are open to all MATSOL Members:

Wednesday, May 4
Teacher Educator Meeting, 3:00-5:00 PM - Please RSVP

Thursday, May 5
State of the State Address by Paul Aguiar & Robert Measle, 4:30 PM
MATSOL Annual Meeting, 5:30 PM
MATSOL Awards Ceremony & Social, 6:30 PM


MATSOL News

MATSOL @ TESOL Baltimore 
Get together with your MATSOL colleagues at the TESOL Convention. Thursday, April 5 at 5:30 PM at the Lobby Bar, Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel. 

Complete the MATSOL Member Survey & Win $100!
MATSOL is looking for YOUR input! Complete the member survey and be entered to win a $100 Amazon gift card. Go to survey...

Jun 19-21: TESOL Advocacy & Policy Summit
Registration for the 2016 TESOL Advocacy and Policy Summit is now open! The summit will be held 19–21 June 2016 in Alexandria, Virginia, USA. The Summit is a professional development opportunity for educators to learn about U.S. federal education issues and advocate for policies that support English learners and the field of English language education. (Note: Please contact the MATSOL office at [email protected] if you plan to attend!) More...

New MATSOL Course: Six Standards of Effective Pedagogy for Elementary and Secondary Classrooms 
This course explores the Six Standards of Effective Pedagogy, which have been nationally validated as effective in advancing student achievement, especially among English Language Learners in core academic and general education classrooms. Audience: All K-12 teachers, including ELA, math, science, history, ESL, elementary, secondary. August 8-12, 2016 in Leominster. More...

MATSOL Calendar 
View calendar and registration links...

  • Apr 4: Low Incidence SIG Meeting
  • Apr 5-8: TESOL 2016 International Convention, Baltimore MD
  • Apr 13: Deadline to make MATSOL Conference hotel reservations at the group rate
  • Apr 15: Submissions due to MATSOL Currents 
    May 4:
    Teacher Educator Meeting
  • May 4: MATSOL 2016 Pre-Conference Institutes
  • May 5-6: MATSOL 2016 Conference
  • May 16: Low Incidence SIG Meeting
  • May 27: MELLC Meeting
  • Jun 2: English Language Educators of the Cape and Islands Meeting

Community News

Advocacy Update
The two pieces of legislation supported by MATSOL and the Language Opportunity Coalition -- the LOOK Bill and the Seal of Biliteracy Bill -- are still under consideration by the Joint Committee on Education with an April 15 deadline to refer them out favorably. Check the Language Opportunity website for information on how to contact legislators to encourage action on the bills, or advocate in person at MIRA's Immigrant's Day at the State House (below). View Language Opportunity website...

April 11: Immigrant's Day at the State House
Immigrants' Day at the State House 2016 Come celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Immigrants' Day at the State House -- an annual event that celebrates the progress and contributions immigrants have made to Massachusetts. It also has traditionally been one of the largest advocacy days inside of the State House—and the single largest immigrant advocacy day in the state. Organized the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA). Monday, April 11 from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Please RSVP - Individual RSVP here, Group RSVP here. 

Apr 26: English for Entrepreneurs 
The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. is pleased to announce a new class starting in April 26, 2016: English for Entrepreneurs.  We are now recruiting students for the class.  This class is designed for high-intermediate to advanced ESOL students (SPL 5+) who are interested in starting a small business.  The class would also be appropriate for those who have a small business already and would like to learn more and improve their English as well.  The curriculum will include learning about licenses and permits, writing a business plan, networking and other topics relevant to running a small business.  Experts from the small business community will be guest speakers, and students will learn how to find mentors and other assistance from the Small Business Administration.  The class is free.  Immigrant adults 18 years or older may register any time Monday-Thursday from 9:00-4:00 or Friday 9:00-2:00.  The class will meet Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 to 12:00 starting April 26, 2016 and ending August 25, 2016.  If you have any questions, please contact Karen Oakley at [email protected] or 781-322-9777.

May 13: Massachusetts Coalition for Adult Education NETWORK 2016 Conference
Join us for another inspiring conference featuring high quality workshops that give you the tools you need to shine in the classroom! Network with more than 500 of your colleagues, learn from experts in more than 50 workshop sessions, celebrate with award winners who are leaders in the field of ABE, and meet with exhibitors to preview exciting new products and materials. Friday, May 13 in Marlborough MA. Info...


Links & Resources

NEWSLETTER
TESOL Connections
MATSOL members receive free access to TESOL Connections, TESOL's monthly online newsletter.  The latest issue includes articles Fostering High-Leverage Family Engagement, Tips for Testing Speaking, and Raising Awareness of English Varieties in EFLRead the latest issue...

Call for Submissions
New Ways in Teaching Creative Writing for the ELL Community
TESOL Press is seeking contributors with exciting and effective lesson plan ideas for using creative writing in the English language classroom. The book, New Ways in Teaching Creative Writing for the ELL Community, is primarily directed at teachers who work in Intensive English Programs or for instructors who work at English Language Institutes. However, contributors should feel free to explore options for various populations and settings such as EFL learners, adult education, and young writers (K-12). More information and submission guidelines can be found on the TESOL Press website. Submissions are due 15 June 2016.

RESOURCE
WIDA Can Do Descriptors Release
Major release from WIDA: Can Do Descriptors, Key Uses Edition, including: K–12 Can Do Descriptors, Key Uses Edition, the Early Years Can Do Descriptors (for children 2.5–5.5 years old), and the K–12 PODEMOS, the Spanish Language Development Edition of the Can Do Descriptors. For more information, please visit the WIDA Can Do Descriptors webpage. There you can download the new materials and view the introductory webinar.

REPORT
Challenges in Accessing Early Childhood Education and Care for Children in Refugee Families in Massachusetts
This new report examines how refugee families in Massachusetts make use of early childhood education and services for their children through the refugee resettlement system and looks at the institutional and systemic challenges that refugee families face in accessing stable, high-quality ECEC options. These challenges include both a complex, multiagency process with unclear lines of institutional responsibility as well as limited mechanisms for collaboration and information sharing across agencies. View report...

ARTICLE
How to Help First-Generation Students Succeed
From The AtlanticFirst-generation students "often are unaware of what’s known as the 'hidden curriculum'—the mix of bureaucratic know-how and sound study skills that can make or break a student’s first year in college... Researchers are learning much more about first-generation students these days, showing that a combination of simple nudges and regular check-ins from mentors can go a long way toward making such students feel confident that they can navigate the strange waters of college academics." View article...

VIDEO
Playing with Language

TED-Ed offers dozens of fascinating videos about all kinds of subjects that draw students in. This series of videos, called Playing With Language explores issues of language and learning from different perspectives. Here are four from the collection: View resource...

View past issues of the MATSOL E-Bulletin online!

 

MATSOL
2 Canton Street, Suite B-223
Stoughton MA 02072
www.matsol.org

Note: Clicking "Unsubscribe" will unsubscribe you from all MATSOL emails.