Electronic Toolkit for Educating English Language Learners
The ESL & bilingual teachers' toolkit, aka 'ekits', was first developed by Illinois State Board of Education and the IRC with the Illinois educator in mind. Find teaching tips, information about methodology and assessment, recommended classroom materials, and much more in this searchable database of teaching resources.
IRC uses the online collaboration software Moodle in some of its courses. IRC instructors may contact the librarian for more information about using Moodle.
WIDA Resource Guide
An eight-module curriculum designed to assist elementary and secondary teachers and administrators in developing, implementing, and assessing dual language programs.
Search through The Center Library's books and journals. Preview new ESL materials from publishers. Catch up on your professional reading.
The ENLACE (ENriching Language And Culture Education) network currently consists of 35 Illinois and Wisconsin school districts, including Chicago, that are either applying or interested in applying innovative approaches to language and culture education. The ENLACE network includes schools that have or are interested in dual language education programs, foreign language at the elementary level and second language immersion programs for language majority students.
The HCI is designed to be the bridge between the multicultural employee needs of the education community and individuals from diverse backgrounds who may be suitable for those jobs, either today or with appropriate training. Contact Elena Mulcahy or Marcelo Zwierzynski at 847-803-2527 for more information.
The National Dual Language Resource Consortium seeks to coordinate, consolidate and disseminate resources and research and make them available to support dual language education.
Consortium members include the Illinois Resource Center, Center for Applied Linguistics, CARLA, , Two-Way CABE, Dual Language Education of New Mexico, and Kathryn Lindholm-Leary.
Target: Teams of teachers and administrators who work in a dual language program, or are interested in starting or teaching in a dual language program.
Scholarship recipients who are teachers will complete a three-graduate-credit course that can be applied towards some states' requirements for either an ESL or Bilingual endorsement.
Target: Individuals from other fields who wish to change careers and become Bilingual Teachers.
The Bilingual Transition to Teaching Project is a federally funded program designed to provide training, resources, and support to mid-career professionals and recent college graduates who want to change careers and become bilingual teachers in school districts that meet federal requirements for high need. Participants receive free graduate school coursework leading towards a master's degree in education as well as elementary teacher certification with Bilingual and ESL approvals. The program is administered by the Illinois State Board of Education in partnership with the Illinois Resource Center, Northern Illinois University, the Chicago Public Schools, and other high need school districts in the State of Illinois.
National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) - the only national organization exclusively concerned with the education of language-minority students in American schools.
National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA) - NCELA and Language Instruction Educational Programs (formerly NCBE, the National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education) is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement & Academic Achievement for Limited English Proficient Students (OELA, formerly OBEMLA).
Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) - a private, non-profit organization whose group of scholars and educators use the findings of linguistics and related sciences in identifying and addressing language-related problems. Good source for related educational resources, including videos
Region XIV Comprehensive Center - CAL is a partner in this Comprehensive Center, which is operated by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). For short introductory articles on 10 critical issues related to applications of theory related to current programs and instructional practices see "Theory to Practice".
Center for Research on Education Diversity and Excellence (CREDE) is one of 12 national research and development centers funded by the U.S. Department of Education. "CREDE's research is to identify and develop effective educational practices for linguistic and cultural minority students. See "Teaching Alive for the 21st Century" CD-Rom series (2002).
Center for Multilingual Multicultural Research - A comprehensive, annotated list of bilingual/ESL/multicultural education resources. See "Other Resources" for Spanish and Spanish/English links, and "Full-text Related Articles."
Teaching Diverse Learners - is the National Leadership Area for the Northeast and Islands Regional Educational Laboratory at Brown University (LAB). See "Teaching & Learning Strategies - Addresses practical applications for the areas of Culturally Responsive Teaching, Mainstream Classrooms, Bilingual/ESL Classrooms, and Special Education." and "Families" for clear explanations of theory to practice through a "What, Why and How" format.
Illinois State Board of Education - English Language Learning - Illinois rules and regulations for Transitional Bilingual Education Programs and Transitional Programs of Instruction,includes teacher recruitment and certification information.
Illinois Resource Center ekits - Developed by Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Resource Center (IRC) with the Illinois educator in mind. The initial focus is on serving Newcomers, but the site will be expanded based on needs of Illinois’ administrators and teachers.
Illinois Association for Multilingual Multicultural Education (IAMME) - Illinois state affiliate of NABE: see or post employment opportunities, receive information via your email address through list serve, read online Iamme Bulletin, and register for events online.
ISBE TBE/TPI Forms - Illinois application forms required for student transition to bilingual education program (TBE) and for a transitional program of instruction (TPI).
MoraModules - by Dr. Jill Kerper Mora, San Diego State University, received the California Association for Bilingual Education 2002 Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarly Activity for her informative website and resources.
Development and Dissemination Schools Initiative - A five-year project of the New York City Board of Education's Office of English Language Learners and the Education Alliance at Brown University. Good action research site and snapshots of best practices for ELLs, includes clip of new professional development video.
Illinois Resource Center ekits - Developed by Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Resource Center (IRC) with the Illinois educator in mind. The initial focus is on serving Newcomers, but the site will be expanded based on needs of Illinois’ administrators and teachers.
Help! They Don't Speak English Starter Kit
Strategies for Success: Engaging Immigrant Students in Secondary Schools (ERIC Digest, June 2000) - Ten principles of effective instruction for immigrant students, by Aida Walqui.
TEAMS Distant Learning - There is a section on Diverse Learners, but just clicking on the electronic classrooms provides some great support.
Bilingual Education Center for Positive Practices has compiled reviews, research, bibliographies and more on all aspects of bilingual education.
Recent books by IRC staff - include "Special Education Considerations for English Language Learners," "Assessment and Accountability in Language Education Programs: A Guide for Administrators and Teachers," and "English Language Learners at School: A Guide for Administrators."
The Education of Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students: Effective Instructional Practices - Synopsis and analysis based on recent research documenting educationally effective practices used with linguistically and culturally diverse students in selected sites throughout the United States.
National Research Symposiums on Limited English Proficient Student Issues
Newcomer Programs - Study and data for the Secondary Newcomer Directory; updated information on language and academic programs for recent immigrants.
New Trends in Language Education for Hispanic Students (ERIC/CUE Digest #155) - Good article on bilingual programs, edited by Wendy Schwartz. July 2000.
Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory's Bilingual Education Topics - documents on many aspects of teaching and bilingual education.
TESOL Quarterly
Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab
Hundreds of sites for teachers
Bilingual Education Resources Websites - links to research, professional programs, and more about issues relating to bilingual education.
ISBE TBE/TPI Forms - Illinois application forms required for student transition to bilingual education program (TBE) and for a transitional program of instruction (TPI).
Rethinking Schools' collection of resources includes articles on current issues in bilingual education.
Academic Excellence Awards and Project Guide - The Academic Excellence Program provides a means for exemplary projects to share and disseminate successful bilingual and English-as-a-second-language (ESL) projects among public and private educational facilities.
ESL Materials Recommended by IRC Staff (ekits) - Reviews and contact information about ESL textbooks and teaching materials, teaching strategies and more, can be found on the 'ekits' website.
The Children's Literature Web Guide is an attempt to gather together and categorize the growing number of Internet resources related to books for Children and Young Adults. Includes book awards lists, publisher info, resources for teachers and parents, and book reviews.
The Internet Public Library - Newspapers from Around the World - Online newspapers from many countries.
Celebrating Cultural Diversity Through Children's Literature
Fifty Multicultural Books Every Child Should Know is arranged by age. Click on book title to see jacket art.
Multicultural Children's Literature in the Elementary Classroom (ERIC Digest) Informative article on importance of the genre, selection guidelines and helpful resources.
Race, Culture, Gender and Sexual Orientation in Children's and Young Adult Books - Lists of multicultural literature for children's titles, reviews.
Multicultural Children's Literature - Collection of weblinks to listings and reviews of multicultural children's literature.
©2002 Illinois Resource Center, 2626 Clearbrook Drive,
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005-4626
Phone 224-366-8555, Fax 847-649-0551