English Language Learner University (ELL-U) Professional Development Plan
The English Language Learner University (ELL-U) Professional Development Plan was the foundation for a comprehensive framework through which professional development for educators of adult English language learners (ELLs) was developed.
The English Language Learner University (ELL-U) Professional Development Plan was created under a project funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education. It was the foundation for a comprehensive framework through which professional development for educators of adult English language learners (ELLs) was developed. The website created under this project no longer exists as a separate entity. However, the online courses created for ELL-U may be accessed at the Literacy Information and Communications System (LINCS) website.
The ELL-U Professional Development (PD) Plan was framed around five learning priorities that were identified by experts in the field as crucial skill and knowledge areas. The learning priorities (listed below) were developed by conducting a thorough review and analysis of published research related to teaching adult ELLs:
- Principles of Second Language Acquisition (SLA)
- Teaching Adult ELLs who are Emergent Readers
- Assessment in Adult ELL Programs
- Principles of Second Language Teaching: Planning, Implementing, and Managing Instruction
- The Role of Culture in Teaching Adult ELLs
The audience for the PD activities developed and delivered under ELL-U included teachers of adult ELLs, professional developers, program administrators, and volunteers. The PD Plan also contains an appendix with extensive research references related to the five learning priorities.
This document provides a clear example of how a research-based, hybrid (online and face-to-face) professional development plan for teachers of adult English language learners was created. It may be used as a resource for those who are interested in developing something similar, or who are interested in learning from the planning and processes related to its execution.
This resource was reviewed and vetted through the National Adult English Language Learning Professional Development Network initiative of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education under Contract No. ED-VAE-10-C-0039.
