WIDA Webinars

This WIDA Webinar introduces a new resource outlining five research-informed practices for supporting multilingual newcomers. Participants will explore five actionable approaches that positively foster language development, learning and community building for multilingual newcomers in the classroom. Educators will engage with examples from teachers and students around the country that demonstrate these approaches in practice and will leave with ideas, tools and resources they can use in their contexts.

Presenter(s): Lauren Bartholomae and Amanda Spalter

This WIDA Webinar focuses on asset-based instructional strategies for supporting multilingual learners with disabilities who use diverse communication methods. Through real-life examples and classroom artifacts, participants will identify key features of instructional strategies designed to promote language development for multilingual learners who have disabilities that impact their expressive communication. 

Presenter(s): Emily Kurth

When implementing linguistically and culturally responsive and sustaining instructional practices for multilingual learners, educators must engage with families and community members as part of the process. This WIDA Webinar introduces key considerations for engaging multilingual families and communities and explores how to connect family and community engagement to learning. WIDA Fellows will share examples from their practice intended to support all educators, including those who are new to connecting with families and communities in this way and those who wish to strengthen collaborative practices in their setting.

Presenter(s): Amanda Spalter and Tricia Blanco

Grounded in the Focus Bulletin Youth Voice: Expanding Educational Agency for Multilingual Learners, this WIDA Webinar will examine three key dimensions — community connectedness, critical consciousness and authentic decision-making — to support educators in transforming their classroom practice. Educators will be offered tools to develop a framework and will learn actionable steps they can take to elevate their multilingual learners’ engagement, voice and leadership at the classroom, school and community level.

Presenter(s): Andrea Mercado, Kenneth Bond and Adam Pitt

Drawing on the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 Edition, and the Marco de los estándares del desarrollo auténtico del lenguaje español de WIDA (Marco DALE), this WIDA Webinar will demonstrate how making language visible supports metalinguistic awareness, strengthens students’ ability to use language strategically, and promotes access to academic content and success across disciplines. Participants will explore how to use Language Functions and Language Features to note similarities and differences across languages.

Presenter(s): Edith Nava and Jessica Canul Diaz