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ESL
English as a Second Language

Instruction is designed for adults with limited English proficiency or whose native language is

not English. English as a Second Language (ESL) programs assist individuals in improving their English skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing to find or maintain employment, attain citizenship, become more involved with their children’s schooling, and make greater use of community resources. Instruction is provided in English as a unifying means of serving the broad ethnic diversity of limited-English-speaking adults.

ESL & Citizenship Newsletter

A monthly publication designed for ESL and Citizenship teachers in adult education. Each issue provides a curated selection of resources, practical classroom strategy suggestions, helpful websites, and other tools to support effective teaching and learning. The newsletter aims to inspire and equip educators with fresh ideas and actionable insights to enhance their instruction and better serve adult learners.

February 2025

March 2025

April 2025

May 2025

June 2025

Click HERE to view

the 2023-2024 Newsletters

​​Professional Development
  • ​Activities for Teaching Adult MLLs in the Multi-Level Classroom | Presentation | Video

  • Addressing Bias and Racial Equity in the ESOL Classroom | Presentation | Video

  • Climate, Culture, Relationships & Instruction | Presentation | Video

  • Adult ESL Best Practices | Presentation | Video

  • Supporting All Adult English Learners Through Culturally Responsive Practices | Presentation 

  • Adult ELLs: Student Engagement & Learning - What Does That Look Like in a Time of Crisis? | Presentation | Video

  • Recognizing Disability in English Language Learners | Presentation | Video

  • Foundational Principles of Reading Applications to Adult English Learners | Presentation

​

Professional Learning Resources
  • English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) for Adult Education | Resource

  • The Change Agent - an Adult Education Magazine for Social Justice | Website

  • The ConnTESOL Organization | Website​

  • TESOL International Association | Website

  • Literacy Minnesota - Teaching Pronunciation YouTube Channel | Website

  • The Adult ELL Pathway to Literacy | Website

  • The Emerging English Language Literacy Curriculum | Website

  • Literacy Centre of Expertise (includes YouTube videos for teachers) | Website

  • ESL Literacy Readers | Website

  • Learning Chocolate | Website​​

  • ESL Literacy Website | Website

  • National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA) - English Learner (EL) Family Toolkit | Website

  • Colorin Colorado - What It Feels Like to Be a Language Learner | Website

Need Help?

Consultants and staff are on hand to offer guidance, help with finding resources, and assist in strategic planning, etc.

Angie Falbo_edited.jpg
Angie Falbo

ATDN PD Specialist

for ESL and Citizenship

ELPS Training

Learning Pathways

ELPS Training Learning Pathway Options.png

The ELPS training pathways consists of a required 100-Level Series courses and recommended Implementation Series course(s). Participants can complete the courses on-demand or in-person, with additional support from consultants, to earn a Certificate of Completion (COC) by achieving a minimum score of 80% and fulfilling specific course requirements.

ESL Toolkits

From finding reading literature to accessing ready-to-use activities, each toolkit provides a list of resources and activities you can use in different scenarios within your classroom.

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