Classroom Practices that Enhance English Learners'

Nov. 3, 2010 - PRLog -- NEW YORK, NEW YORK — Monday, October 11,  2010 — Knowledge Delivery Systems, Inc. (KDS), a leading provider of online professional development for K-12 educators has announced  Elizabeth Jiménez, a national expert in the field of English Learner instruction course  “Teaching ELL’s Across the Curriculum” .  

“Elizabeth Jiménez’s course brings to life the core fundamentals of sheltered instruction to all teachers.  This course can transform a districts approach to supporting the needs of English language learners”, says KDS CEO Alvin Crawford.

This course will teach strategies for assessing students' knowledge, identifying language learning objectives, and developing differentiated instructional practices that address the varying levels of language proficiency often present in a typical classroom.  Elizabeth Jiménez introduces research-based pedagogical practices that promote comprehension such as background building, frontloading vocabulary, using graphic organizers to enhance higher order thinking, leveraging the primary language to facilitate learning, using culturally responsive materials, and employing media, technology and other visual supports to enhance learning.

Participants learn how to preview their textbooks for idiomatic expressions and multiple meaning words, to plan lessons that incorporate academic language development, and to utilize primary language cognates. In addition, Jiménez reviews the contextual factors such as motivation, peer pressure, family values, and L-1 proficiency that impact the success of academic pursuits. In an interview with Sal Flores, a young Latino who recently earned a GED, he explains why, as a youth, he was attracted to gang affiliation and offers some advice for teachers about reaching disaffected students.

“The blend of online video and face to face professional development is an excellent way to connect high tech with high touch.  The use of video as part of this professional development allows us to bring actual classroom teachers, guest speakers and English Learner students into the course for an enhanced, authentic professional development experience. Considering today's budget restrictions, this is an ideal way to ramp up instructional knowledge quickly and consistently district wide, says Elizabeth Jiménez.

For a video preview of the course, click on link  http://www.kdsi.org/offers/promos/Teaching-ELL/index.html

About Elizabeth Jiménez

Elizabeth Jiménez is the CEO of GEMAS, a consulting and advocacy firm dedicated to improving the education of English learners and their families. Jiménez earned an MBA from the Peter F. Drucker Graduate Management Center at Claremont Graduate University and a BA in Spanish from CSU, Fullerton. Jiménez taught English learners for nine years; then, she cut her teeth in politics working in her state legislature on pioneering legislation for English learners. She has taught literacy methods courses in English and in Spanish for college teacher preparation programs. Jiménez has written over 25 textbooks for Pre-K-12 English learners. Jiménez is a highly sought after keynote speaker, coach, and professional developer, having worked with school districts and charter schools in over 20 states and Puerto Rico. Her many projects include working with the Department of Education in Puerto Rico; Bassett Unified School District; and Riverside, Inyo, Mono, and San Bernardino Counties in California to improve learning outcomes for English learners. She has been a panelist, session speaker, moderator, or keynote speaker for national and local organizations and conferences including NALEO (National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials), Latino Leadership Conference, LAUSD Achieving A+ Summit, Milken Institute Global Conference, and Puerto Rico TESOL Conference.

About Knowledge Delivery Systems, Inc.

Founded in 2002, KDS's corporate mission is to provide educators at the individual teacher, school district and state level with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve teacher effectiveness and prepare K-12 students with the skills required for college and careers in the 21st Century.

For more information on KDS's unique online professional development offerings please visit www.kdsi.org.

For media inquiries, contact KDS toll free at (800) 728-0032.

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KDS's corporate mission is to provide educators at the individual teacher, school district & state level with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve teacher effectiveness & prepare K-12 students with the skills required for college & careers.