Spanish Language Arts Framework (Marco ALE)

  1. Teach
  2. Teaching in Spanish
  3. Spanish Language Arts Framework (Marco ALE)

Marco de referencia de las artes del lenguaje del español (Marco ALE)

group of students talking and working

Growing linguistic equity in language arts

The purpose of the WIDA Spanish language arts framework, Marco de referencia de las artes del lenguaje del español (Marco ALE), is to provide the key elements for the development of standards and the teaching of Spanish language arts. Therefore, the Marco ALE is presented in two documents:

  • Standards design and enhancement: Aplicación para la actualización y desarrollo de estándares
  • Teaching and learning: Aplicación para la enseñanza

These documents provide guidelines for the implementation of Marco ALE, while highlighting the linguistic and academic opportunities for bi/multilingual students learning Spanish.

Three Strands of the Marco ALE Braid

illustration of tri-color braid with each strip labelled with a strand of the marco ale framework

group of kids gathered around a small screen

Las ideologías orientadoras

These are core ideas to guide the development of standards and instruction that leverage local values and fulfill the development of skills that empower students to participate in their local and global communities with opportunities to transform their surroundings.

teacher and students around a table

Las prácticas de la disciplina

These represent the intersection of knowledge, experiences and content skills (in this case, of language arts), fused with the ability to read, write, listen, speak, think critically and perform meaningfully within the context of the given field.

teacher overseeing two students working

Los conceptos básicos

In this framework, conceptos básicos refers to the Spanish language academic areas, which include la oralidad, la lectura, la escritura and el lenguaje (orality, reading, writing and language).

Using Marco ALE

two teachers looking down at a tablet

Marco ALE: Aplicación para la actualización y desarrollo de estándares

This document is for policy makers and educators responsible for the development, enhancement and alignment of Spanish language arts standards.

View the full description and download the Marco ALE: Aplicación para la actualización y desarrollo de estándares.

Purchase the spiral-bound book from the WIDA Store.

two teachers with a laptop looking at a book together

Marco ALE: Aplicación para la enseñanza

This document is for teachers and others who provide direct instruction of Spanish language arts at the school level. This document serves as a guide to learn more about the elements of Marco ALE and how to apply them in the classroom.

View the full description and download a sample of the Marco ALE: Aplicación para la enseñanza.

Purchase the complete spiral-bound book from the WIDA Store.

Marco ALE Supporting Resources

Overview and Communication Resources

Learning Opportunities and Articles