The ALSDE provides technical assistance regarding the education of English Learners to all stakeholders. This website provides resources that help meet their needs. These online resources assist schools in providing best practices in ESL program administration. Instruction, assessment, and policy requirements are provided to guide educators who interact with English Learners and their families.
Alabama EL Framework
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The Alabama Framework for English Learner Success is composed of the state’s vision and principles which are grounded in high-quality, evidence-based instruction, foundational for improving the state’s educational priorities, supports, programs, and practices for ELs.
Guidebooks
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This document is intended to provide basic requirements and guidance for policies, procedures, and practices for identifying, assessing, and serving ELs.
Guide from Student Assessment provides detailed information about identification of an English Learner, attainment criteria, and information for educators responsible for administering WIDA Screener and ACCESS for ELLs.
English Learners and the Special Education Process
Alabama Seal of Biliteracy
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Link to the Alabama Seal of Biliteracy Information on the Graduation Requirements page.
English Language Development Standards
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The WIDA ELD Standards Framework provides a foundation for curriculum, instruction and assessment for multilingual learners in Kindergarten through grade 12.
Tools and supports to help educators and English learners succeed.
Professional Learning
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Self-paced professional learning is available to Alabama educators. Access trainings through WIDA Secure Portal.
Self-paced professional learning is available to Alabama educators. Educators will earn 3.5 hours for each completed module. Access training through Ellevation or contact your EL Coordinator for more information.
Instructional Resources
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English learner data information dashboard and instructional strategies library.
A site for educators and families of English learners.
Guides for Teaching Academic Content and Literacy to English Learners in Elementary and Middle School
Newcomer Resources
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The Newcomer Toolkit is a resource for state, local, and school leaders to support multilingual learners and general education educators.
Guide to help newcomer students’ families navigate the U.S. School System
Statutes, Laws and Guidance
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Elementary and Secondary Education Act
U.S. Department of Justice and Civil Rights guidance on English Learners
Guidance from the Office of English Language Acquisition
EL Related legislation and case law
Parental Involvement and Communications
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Toolkit helps families choose education services that meet their child’s needs.
The state provides translated parent notifications that meet federal parent and family engagement requirements.
State provided video remote interpretation and translation service.
Article – How to Reach Out to Parents of ELLs
Resources
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Center for Applied Linguistics
Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol
Article on strategies educators can implement to help students exit ESL services.
AMTESOL strives to serve the needs of educators in the field of ESL.
International professional organization for Teachers for English Speakers of Other Languages
Alabama Universities with ESL-ESOL-TESOL Programs
Disclaimer: This list is for information purposes only. The following list of ESL-ESOL-TESOL programs may or may not include a path to ESOL Teacher Certification P-12. Some universities have additional language acquisition or second language instruction programs independent of their teacher certification program. Please contact the college or university about their program of study to determine if it meets your professional goals. For information about ESOL Teaching Certification, contact the Teacher Certification office.
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The University of Alabama
Auburn University
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Alabama in Huntsville
University of North Alabama
University of South Alabama