"ELL students are tasked with the two-fold challenge of learning a new language and simultaneously keeping up with academic content taught in a language they have not yet mastered" (Afterschool, 2011). As educational professionals we have to use any means possible to help children and families from any diversity succeeded in all environments. There is never enough resources and materials available to achieve this. I found four sites that support childrens learning of English in a variety of areas and ways: The National Council of La Raza, National Council of Teachers of English, The National Task Force on Early Childhood Education and Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages.
The National Council of La Raza's is a civil rights and advocacy organization for Hispanic Americans in the U.S. The organization hosts different seminars/conventions/expos/conventions on advocacy, empowerment, children & youth, civil rights & justice, healthy & disease control, training on helping and aiding children and families of Hispanic decent in all environments, etc. A job opportunity available that I would be interested in is the Resource Development Intern, I would need to be able to perform data analysis, research methods, and an understanding of present and future projects, individual, foundation and corporate donors. I picked this organization because it offers a lot of great activities, community outreach and education training programs.
http://www.nclr.org/index.php/about_us/jobs_at_nclr/
The National Council of Teachers of English is "devoted to improving the teaching and learning of English and the
language arts at all levels of education. This mission statement was
adopted in 1990:
"The Council promotes the development of literacy, the use of language to construct personal and public worlds and to achieve full participation in society, through the learning and teaching of English and the related arts and sciences of language.“
The organizations goal is to make sure every child, especially those who speak English as a second language have just as equal chance of learning and understanding as those who speak English as their first language. The organization supports literacy, writing, integrated language arts, diversity, knowledgeable caring teachers, advocacy and public education. I picked this website because it focuses on all children, families and teachers, not just a specific diversity. There are only 6 jobs listed and none of them are in N.C. (where I live) or MD (where I used to live). If I had to pick one it would be: 'Classroom teachers are needed at American & international schools throughout the world. All subjects and grade levels from preK-12 needed at international schools where you teach your subject in English.' I would need my teaching knowledge, skills and understanding, my MSECS knowledge on diversity and to learn more in-depth about ELL.
http://www.ncte.org/
The National Task Force on Early Childhood Education 'focuses on public policies and programs that pertain to its overarching
goal --- to increase school readiness among Hispanic children entering
kindergarten, particularly those from economically and educationally
disadvantaged backgrounds, in order to ensure that all Hispanic children
are well-educated and prepared for the future.' The Hispanic population makes up a good percentage of the ELL in the U.S. I picked this site because it focuses more on advocacy, policies and research. I could not find any job opportunities.
http://ecehispanic.org/index.html
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages is an organization that also focuses on all children who do not speak English. This organization provides materials, resources, seminars, instruction, etc for teachers on how to properly & adequately educate ELL. TESOL's goals are that: 'English language learners receive quality education through TESOL International Association's leadership in the field, TESOL International Association members participate in the association
to build expertise and are recognized for their involvement and
professionalism, and Individuals and organizations look to TESOL International Association to inform policy and practice.' I picked this organization because it is for educators and provides a great deal of information, services, resources, programs, etc. so that they can meet the needs of the whole child. There were not job opportunities listed.
http://www.tesol.org/
Afterschool, A. (2011). English Language Learners: Becoming Fluent in Afterschool. Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief No. 49. Afterschool Alliance. Retrieved from ERIC.
