SPOTLIGHT SESSIONS
Are you on an equity committee or school leadership team, stuck in the same cycle, asking “How can we actually improve outcomes for our ELS/MLS?”—but no one seems to listen or offer fresh, actionable solutions?
AFFORDABLE online sessions to break the cycle and spark real, creative solutions for advancing outcomes for ELS/MLS.
Spotlight session offerings
“Dr. Ardell’s energetic and dynamic presentation inspired great dialogue and discussion after the session amongst our colleagues that were in attendance. She helped us recognize the need to continue to disrupt the systems that are in place so that our colleagues and administrators recognize their biases around language.” - Bridgitte Pittarelli- ESL Coordinator, Binghamton NY School District
Offerings For Teachers & School Leaders
Spotlight Session: Why Translating doesn’t work for Newcomer ELs
Have you noticed the trend for teachers to translate constantly for their newcomer ELs? Well, it doesn’t work. In this 1-hour session, Lillian illustrates how linguistic biases condition teachers to operate through a one-language-mindset, and offers 3 helpful ways to solve the translation problem. Participants will receive a special Classroom Look-Fors document to transfer the learning into practice.
Upon adding to cart you will be prompted to give some information including your first and second choice dates. After processing payment, Lillian will contact you within 2 business days to confirm details.
Spotlight Session: Join the Movement to Disrupt the Monolingual Bias
“They don’t know English” or “Just have the ESL teacher do it.” Are you tired of the deficit chatter about ELs/MLs and want fresh perspectives on how to (kindly, firmly) respond to your monolingual colleagues? In this 1-hour session, Lillian walks teachers through the key tenants of a Monolingual Bias, and offers 5 Doable Disruptions to advance linguistic justice in your district today.
Upon adding to cart you will be prompted to give some information including your first and second choice dates. After processing payment, Lillian will contact you within 2 business days to confirm details.
Spotlight Session: Unlocking the Power of Language Objectives
Imagine the most streamlined way to design language objectives that actually make their way into your instruction! In this 1-hour session, Lillian covers the fundamentals of linguistic scaffolds, drawing a direct line between how language works to build meaning and the ways in which language supports can facilitate content learning while reliably attending to language acquisition. Participants will take home an AI planning tool to streamline your language planning process.
Upon adding to cart you will be prompted to give some information including your first and second choice dates. After processing payment, Lillian will contact you within 2 business days to confirm details.
Offerings For Parents & Caregivers
Spotlight Session: Teacher Advocacy for Scary Political Times
This session can be virtual or in person (Chicago area only) and is 60 minutes in length.
Upon adding to cart you will be prompted to give some information including your first and second choice dates. After processing payment, Lillian will contact you within 2 business days to confirm details.
Session Details: We live in unprecedented political times, leaving bilingual and ESL teachers hopeless and disempowered to advocate for themselves or their students. In this session, Dr. Ardell offers a research-based framework for teacher advocacy that even your most introverted educator can relate to. Book this session to learn (1) what advocacy is (and isn’t) (2) the specific framework aligned with linguistic justice goals and (3) resources to move through malaise. This session pairs nicely with any Know Your Rights sessions and Newcomer programming.
Spotlight Session: Parent Workshops-Parent Advocacy during Scary Political Times
This session is 60 minutes and can be delivered in English or Spanish. Virtual or In person (Chicago area only) available.
Upon adding to cart you will be prompted to give some information including your first and second choice dates. After processing payment, Lillian will contact you within 2 business days to confirm details.
Session Details: The current political climate can feel very threatening to those of us in the Latino community, whether or not we are documented. This is the time to learn fundamental advocacy skills, not only for our children but for ourselves as parents. This workshop covers how Latinos have resisted English-only policies in education, as we learn about some key figures in the fight for linguistic justice. Parents will have a chance to describe their concerns with one another, and ask Lillian any questions or concerns they have around advocacy for their children (or themselves). This session is a nice accompaniment to “Know Your Rights” trainings.
Spotlight Session: Parent Workshop-5 Things to Expect in My Child’s Bilingual Education
These sessions are 60 minutes in length and can be delivered in English or Spanish. Virtual or In person (Chicago area only) available.
Upon adding to cart you will be prompted to give some information including your first and second choice dates. After processing payment, Lillian will contact you within 2 business days to confirm details.
Session Details: Have you wondered why the principal and bilingual director always talk about the benefits of bilingualism but haven't really understood why? In this dynamic workshop, Dr. Ardell walks you through some stories, testimonies and videos that give you a clearer sense of what goes in a bilingual classroom. There will be time to answer questions and to plan for your own class visit (with permission from the teacher). Don't miss an opportunity to feel the deep pride of your decision to enroll your child in bilingual education.
Spotlight Session: Parent Workshop-5 Ways to Support My Child at Home
These sessions are 60 minutes in length and can be delivered in English or Spanish. Virtual or In person (Chicago area only) available.
This session will cover some of the top home literacy practices backed by years of scholarship in bilingual education. Those practices include: how to read with your child, what kinds of questions to ask, writing at home, community visits, and family storytelling. You may be surprised to learn that you do many of these things already, and with a small tweak of information, your child will become a stronger reader and writer in no time!
Upon adding to cart you will be prompted to give some information including your first and second choice dates. After processing payment, Lillian will contact you within 2 business days to confirm details.
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