Academic Language Webinar Series: Four Practical Concepts for Tier 1 Core
What’s good for some, is good for all
The Nebraska MTSS team, in partnership with Nebraska Department of Education’s English Learner Programs and the Region 11 Comprehensive Center Network, is excited to announce a new webinar series aimed at sharing four practical concepts that support inclusive academic language skills. By learning about these concepts, educators will learn how strategies that are essential for students learning English can be beneficial for all students in all classrooms.
Educators will learn strategies that can be used immediately to strengthen inclusive Tier 1 Core practices and support students in building academic language within a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) framework.
The four-part webinar series includes pre-recorded videos that outline the four practical concepts for Tier 1 Core:
- High Expectations
- Collaboration
- Comprehensible Input
- Language Output
NeMTSS, NDE and CC Network partners will share information on each practical concept, research on why each is essential, and practices and strategies to support the implementation of each concept.
Webinars in the “Academic Language: Four Practical Concepts to Employ at Tier 1 Core” series will be released on our website in four parts from January 2024 through May 2024. Registration is not required to view the pre-recorded videos.
Who are the webinars for?
This webinar series is for all educators, including leadership teams, administrators, teachers and support staff who provide instruction and/or instructional guidance to enhance the Tier 1 Core instruction for all learners.
Viewing these webinars can also meet the needs of Rule 15 requirements for annual professional development.
Leadership teams are encouraged to continue working with their NeMTSS Regional Support Lead to create an implementation plan that best uses the information presented in the webinars.
Why it matters
Academic language is necessary for all students and will prepare them for learning, earning and living. Research shows students who master academic language are more likely to be successful in both academic and professional settings postsecondary, while students who do not learn academic language are more likely to struggle academically, which may potentially cause them to leave school (Colorín Colorado). This webinar series will provide participants with four practical concepts that can be employed by all educators to strengthen instruction at Tier 1 Core and increase students’ use of academic language. The four practical concepts are essential for each and every student, including English learners, and will benefit all.
“INCLUSION IS NOT A STRATEGY TO HELP PEOPLE FIT INTO THE SYSTEMS AND STRUCTURES WHICH EXIST IN OUR SOCIETIES; IT IS ABOUT TRANSFORMING THOSE SYSTEMS AND STRUCTURES TO MAKE IT BETTER FOR EVERYONE.”
–Diane Richler, past president, Inclusion International
Webinar series structure and release dates
The webinar series includes:
Part 1: High Expectations (January 2024)
Part 2: Collaboration (February 2024)
Part 3: Comprehensible Input (April 2024)
Part 4: Language Output (May 2024)
What do the webinars cover?
Part 1: High Expectations
In part one, viewers will learn about:
- High expectations as a practical concept to enhance Tier 1 Core and support the use of academic language.
- The importance of high expectations for all students, especially multilingual learners.
- Current practices within the continuum of expectations.
- High expectation strategies to employ at Tier 1 Core.
This webinar will provide an opportunity to understand how to use content area standards, English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards, Proficiency Level Descriptors (PLDs) and high quality instructional materials (HQIM) to engage in grade-level reference planning. Additional ideas to reflect on current practices within the continuum of expectations in your district will be provided, as well as strategies that can be employed immediately at Tier 1 Core.
Part 2: Collaboration
In part two, viewers will learn about:
- Collaboration as a practical concept to enhance Tier 1 Core and support the use of academic language.
- The importance of collaboration for all students, especially multilingual learners.
- Current practices to enhance collaboration.
- Collaboration strategies to employ at Tier 1 Core.
Educators will recognize key features of collaboration like being intentional, prioritizing time, and promoting collective efficacy in this webinar. There is also a strong emphasis on collaborating with students, caregivers, families and staff.
Part 3: Comprehensible Input
In part three, viewers will learn about:
- Comprehensible input as a practical concept to enhance Tier 1 Core and support the use of academic language.
- The importance of comprehensible input for all students, especially multilingual learners.
- Current practices to enhance comprehensible input.
- Comprehensible input strategies to employ at Tier 1 Core.
The webinar will identify how multiple means of representation (Universal Design for Learning – UDL) such as visuals, gestures and realia can activate or create background knowledge, create and sustain cultural connections, and support fostering relationships with students to enhance comprehensible input and the use of academic language at Tier 1 Core.
Part 4: Language Output
In part four, viewers will learn about:
- Language output as a practical concept to enhance Tier 1 Core and support the use of academic language.
- The importance of language output for all students, especially multilingual learners.
- Current practices to enhance language output.
- Language output strategies to employ at Tier 1 Core.
Questions?
For more information, please reach out to Nebraska English Learner Programs. You can also reach out to the NeMTSS Regional Support Lead assigned to your region. Contact information can be found on the NeMTSS team page.