Creating an Environment Where Language Flourishes
- A Resource for Elementary Classroom Teachers
WIDA Resources
KEY WIDA DOCUMENTS:
Can-Do Philosophy
Watch a brief video for an overview of WIDA's can-do philosophy, then read our two-page brief to learn more about multilingual learners' assets, contributions and potential.
Can Do Philosophy
Guiding Principles of Language Development
This document lists WIDA's guiding principles of language development.
Pause to Ponder:
What guiding principles of language development do you connect with? What new insight do you have? How might this help your teaching and the learning of your students?
Features of Academic Language
A graphic showing the features of academic language in the WIDA standards (words/phrases, sentence, and discourse levels)
TRAININGS:
Consider taking WIDA self-paced eLearning online courses
Taking Action for ELLs: Foundational Concepts has a linear presentation for educators to build their awareness of ELLs, explore the WIDA ELD Standards Framework, and take action in your classroom.
Engaging ELLs: Teaching to Student Strengths allows you to explore based on your interests and learning style. You will create a student portrait to help leverage students' interests, strengths, and cultural and linguistic backgrounds to support language development and academic success.
1.Go to portal.wida.us
2. Enter your USERNAME and
PASSWORD
3. Click the “WIDA eLearning Center” tile to view the available courses
If you do not have a username and password and would like one, please contact me.
This video provides a brief overview of WIDA's ACCESS test aimed at the mainstream classroom teacher audience.
Language Proficiency Levels
The six levels of English language proficiency describe the trajectory of language development that students
typically follow over time.
The Performance Definitions delineate the criteria for receptive language and productive language at six levels of language proficiency. They are informed by the Features of Academic Language.
Receptive-Listening and Reading
Expressive-Speaking and Writing
For ELs, academic language has an additional developmental dimension, increasing from one language proficiency level to the next.
Consider taking the Level Up! training offered by the MLL Department
This document highlights the core components of the Level Up practices.