VALRC

VALRC: Disabilities and the Adult Learner Webinar Series, Session 1: Introduction to working with adult learners who have disabilities
2023-09-26 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)
It is important to keep in mind that learning disabilities are life-long. Children with disabilities grow-up to be adults with disabilities. Although, many adult learners go undiagnosed. Learning disabilities affect the ability to understand or use spoken or written language, do mathematical calculations, coordinate movements, or direct attention. This session focuses on how adult educators can help their learners by better understanding the different characteristics of learning disabilities, implementing universal designing for learning (UDL), and utilizing partnerships.
Register

VALRC: Multilevel ESOL Classes Webinar Series, Session 1
2023-09-28 15:30 - 17:00 | Virtual
Do you want to tackle the challenges of teaching multilevel ESOL classes? Are you looking to address the varied learning needs of individual students within one classroom and become an effective multi-level teacher?
This 3 part webinar series will present strategies for effective multi-level instruction and planning for ESOL classes or multi-level classrooms. We will discuss the characteristics of a multilevel class, planning for differentiated instruction and implementing different classroom management strategies for effective instruction. Participants will leave the webinar with an understanding of what multilevel classroom needs consist of, how to prepare and plan for individual students needs, and strategies for implementing differentiated instruction in the adult ESOL multi-level classroom. The resources will include articles, videos and supplemental materials.
Objectives:

Understand the factors of a multilevel classroom and how to identify the needs of all students.
Identify strategies to effectively differentiate instruction in both multi level classrooms as well as leveled ESOL classes while accommodating literacy learners and more advanced students.
Discuss next steps for implementation, including adaptation of materials and strategies with a specific group of learners.

Session 1 will focus on an overview of the multilevel classroom & differentiation strategies.
Register Here

VATESOL
2023-09-29 - 2023-10-01 | Richmond Marriot, 500 E Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23219, United States
The 2023 VATESOL Conference, Stronger Together: Building Partnerships for Language, Content, and Community, will be held in Richmond, Va on September 29 and 30.

Career Pathways Open Conversation
2023-10-02 12:00 - 13:30
Join us for important networking, updates, and sharing for career pathways planning and programming. This three-part open conversation series focuses on connecting career pathways practitioners with resources, colleagues, and policy updates to support the growth of their programming to connect learners to training, higher education, and careers. Come and learn what your colleagues are doing across the state and share your best and promising practices with us!
ALL adult education practitioners who are interested in learning more about planning and implementing career pathways programming, including integrated education and training (IET), PluggedInVA, workplace learning, etc., are welcome to attend! Please consider inviting multiple members of your teams to attend (e.g., instructors, data specialists, regional specialists, program managers, occupational training partners). All perspectives are welcome and are important to the conversation!
These conversations will occur on Mondays from 12p to 1:30p. We will record and archive the presentation portions of each session and will share notes from the breakout and whole-group discussions.
Fall dates are October 2, October 30, and November 27.
Register for one or all sessions with this link.

VDOE 2023 Data Office Hours
2023-10-03 14:00 - 15:00, 2023-11-14 14:00 - 15:00

VALRC: Lessons from the Field with Steven Reid: ESOL Basics with Preliterate Adult Learners
2023-10-05 15:00 - 16:30
English language learners who come to the U.S. with no literacy in their first language have unique struggles in learning English. This webinar helps educators understand what these learners are going through and provides tips and ideas for creating lessons for students who speak no English and are not literate in any other language.
Facilitator Steven Reid says, “The limited research that exists on preliterate English language learners primarily focuses on youth under the age of 15. My work recently has focused on how to support teachers and tutors working with adults with little-to-no literacy in their first language (L1). Through academic research and observation of our students and tutors’ successes and struggles, I have compiled strategies and activities to help educators working with preliterate adults trying to learn to speak, read, and write in English. I will also discuss the causes of low L1 literacy and how this impacts L2 acquisition.”
Register Here

LINCS: Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month with the Job Accommodations Network (JAN)
2023-10-09 16:00 - 17:00
Join the LINCS Learners with Disabilities community to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This event will include an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and workplace accommodations. You will learn about the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) service, and practical tips for supporting learners to use JAN resources to request and negotiate workplace accommodations.
Register here.

Literacy Minnesota: Tips and Strategies for Adult Education Math Tutors
2023-10-09 19:30 - 21:30
Join Literacy Minnesota for this interactive session and pick up some ideas that will maximize your impact as a math tutor. This webinar will be appropriate for volunteers assisting a teacher in a math classroom as well as those leading their own classes, small groups or one-to-one sessions. Topics covered will include:

Levels of Math Knowing
Procedural vs Conceptual Understanding
Strategies for Fostering Independent Learning
Asking Facilitating Questions
Productive Struggle

Register here.

VALRC: Disabilities and the Adult Learner Webinar Series, Session 2: Instructional strategies for working with adults with disabilities
2023-10-10 13:00 - 14:30
Disabilities can occur across the lifespan, affecting academic performance, work, and daily living. Individuals with disabilities can have challenges with learning but can exhibit strengths in some areas. This session will provide instructional strategies for working with adults with disabilities, with a focus on incorporating evidence-based strategies into reading instruction.
Register

LINCS Coffee Talk: EL/Civics Resources about Indigenous Peoples
2023-10-10 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual
Join us the LINCS Civics Education and Citizenship Group to share promising practices to foster cultural awareness through student discussions about the indigenous people in their country of origin and local Native American communities.
Register here.

LINCS: Engagement in the Hyflex Classroom
2023-10-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Engagement in any classroom modality is essential for a students’ learning outcomes. With an increase in technology in classrooms and the popularity of Hyflex, many instructors are seeking ideas and resources to make Hyflex integration easier and help students be more actively engaged. Join the LINCS English Language Acquisition community group to learn practical techniques, methods, and activities that successfully engage learners in a Hyflex classroom, both online and face-to-face. Presented by Vi Hawes, Pima Community College
Register here.

The Right Question Institute: Foster Client Agency through Building Self-advocacy Skills
2023-10-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
The Right Question Institute (RQI) specializes in designing simple educational methods and tools to teach skills essential for self-advocacy and agency. In this interactive training session, participants will learn a practical method to:

Strengthen clients’ sense of agency and voice as they navigate systems.
Build people’s capacity to advocate for themselves and take action on their own behalf in all places where decisions are being made that affect them, in the legal system and beyond.

This webinar will be relevant to anyone interested in building people’s skills to advocate for their needs. People working on the front lines in legal services, criminal justice, adult education, direct services, community-based organizations, and public agencies are especially encouraged to attend.
Register here.

VALRC: Digital Literacy for Multilingual Learners Webinar Series, Session 2: Integrating Digital Literacy Skills Development Into Daily Lesson Plans
2023-10-17 15:00 - 16:30 | Virtual
Is your class time split into separate English practice and then digital literacy practice? Are you challenged by using technology throughout a lesson plan to support instruction?
This webinar is designed to provide a strategy for integrating standards-based activities, correlated to the Seattle Digital Equity Initiative Digital Skills Framework, into each part of a lesson plan. After an overview, participants will choose and discuss one of the units. They will collaborate on strategies to integrate one objective into a contextualized lesson plan. They will use the Digital Skills Glossary to support their objective.
This webinar is meant for anyone seeking to support learners in developing digital resilience as they develop their English skills. Participants will receive resources including links to the framework and glossary.
Objectives:

Understand the purpose of the Digital Skills Framework and how it is similar to other sets of standards (ELPS, CCRS)
Choose a unit and objective to explore and discuss
Use the Digital Skills Glossary to support the objective being planned

Register Here

COABE: The Correctional Classroom: Cultivating a Culture That Promotes Creativity
2023-10-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
This webinar will teach methods for educators to explore their own creativity and develop classroom approaches that will inspire students. Coach Alisa Smedley will teach proven strategies for collaborating with students and cultivating a passion for their own success. Participants will leave with strategies for building rapport with students, ready-to-use classroom ideas, and important insights about teaching in a correctional setting.
Register here.

LINCS: AI in Adult Education: Possibilities for Teaching and Learning
2023-10-18 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Generative artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize many aspects of society, so what can it offer students and teachers in the world of adult education? Our guest presenter, Will Linn from the Literacy Assistance Center will introduce the basics of ChatGPT, Bard, and Bing and share ways these AI tools can be applied to the work of adult education to help teachers and learners achieve their goals.
Register here.

Literacy Minnesota: Developing and Practicing Reading Fluency
2023-10-18 19:30 - 21:30 | Virtual
Come and review the important role of fluency in reading instruction. We will discuss the three key components of reading fluency and look at a variety of activities tutors and teachers can try. We will talk about the mechanics of doing fluency practice via Zoom, Google Meet, Teams or any other remote tutoring tool (including the phone!). Participants will have plenty of opportunity to ask questions and share resources. This workshop will be most useful for instructors working with low-intermediate to advanced readers.
Register here.

ELPS for Adult Educators Online Course
2023-10-19 - 2023-11-15
ELPS for Adult Educators is a four-week online course designed to give participants a deep dive into the English Language Proficiency Standards for Adult Education or ELPS. The course is geared toward teachers who are new to the standards and who currently teach English language learners (ELLs) at any level, including ESOL, ABE, and ASE.

LINCS: Exploring Workplace Adult Education and Literacy Activities
2023-10-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
What is workplace education and literacy? Join special guest KayLynn Hamilton to learn ways adult education programs can support workforce development and how it aligns with WIOA. (This live Zoom event was originally scheduled in August.)
Register here.

Effective Communication and Access for Job Seekers who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, WorkforceGPS
2023-10-19 15:00 - 16:30
This webinar is a presentation of the best practices, resources and technology available at the American Job Centers for job seekers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
There is no inclusion without accessibility. With October being National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), it provides the opportunity to have a discussion on how the workforce system can be more inclusive to the job seekers from the deaf and hard of hearing community.

VALRC: Multilevel ESOL Classes Webinar Series, Session 2
2023-10-19 15:30 - 17:00
Do you want to tackle the challenges of teaching multilevel ESOL classes? Are you looking to address the varied learning needs of individual students within one classroom and become an effective multi-level teacher?
This 3 part webinar series will present strategies for effective multi-level instruction and planning for ESOL classes or multi-level classrooms. We will discuss the characteristics of a multilevel class, planning for differentiated instruction and implementing different classroom management strategies for effective instruction. Participants will leave the webinar with an understanding of what multilevel classroom needs consist of, how to prepare and plan for individual students needs, and strategies for implementing differentiated instruction in the adult ESOL multi-level classroom. The resources will include articles, videos and supplemental materials.
Objectives:

Understand the factors of a multilevel classroom and how to identify the needs of all students.
Identify strategies to effectively differentiate instruction in both multi level classrooms as well as leveled ESOL classes while accommodating literacy learners and more advanced students.
Discuss next steps for implementation, including adaptation of materials and strategies with a specific group of learners.

Session 2 will focus on a deep dive of differentiation by the process and the product.
Register Here

VAACE Conference
2023-10-23 08:00 - 2023-10-26 17:00 | Virtual
Register for the 2023 VAACE Conference: Pathways Forward!

GED Testing Service: Shared Strategies for Student Success with Debi Faucette
2023-10-24 15:30 - 17:00 | Virtual
GEDTS writes, “The 2023 Annual GED Conference in NYC was an opportunity for GED Testing Service to provide a robust slate of concurrent and plenary sessions to provide learning and networking opportunities with colleagues. It was also an opportunity for GED Testing Service staff to listen and learn from our colleagues so that we can better serve you, and in turn, better serve our adult learners. You were heard. We appreciated the thoughts and comments regarding professional development and in the months since the conference we have taken action to create a framework to respond to what we have learned to date. We will share our initial ideas to move ‘Back to the Basics’ in professional development and reveal how we can collaborate to set the stage with Tuesday for Teachers to build to the 2024 GED Annual Conference.
“We are also excited to share that GED Testing Service has partnered with WithYouWithMe, a social impact tech company, to provide students with access to resources and services that can open doors to new opportunities and careers. Adult educators will have an opportunity to learn more about this partnership and how it can help their students.”
Register here.

Literacy Minnesota: Essential Zoom Skills for Online Instruction
2023-10-27 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Join this hands-on session to learn and practice essential Zoom skills for the virtual classroom that may not be in your repertoire if your experience with the platform is limited to meetings with friends and colleagues at work. The workshop will cover:

Turning off participants’ cameras and microphones.
Re-naming participants.
Sharing your screen.
Annotating your screen.
Setting up and visiting breakout rooms.

Register here.

Career Pathways Open Conversations
2023-10-30 12:00 - 13:30

LINCS: Understanding Discrimination: What is it and why does it matter?
2023-10-30 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
What is discrimination exactly, and why should we care about it as adult educators? We will discuss what discrimination is, where it originates , and how we can reduce discrimination by being more aware of our personal biases. LINCS’ special guest, Dr. Adriennie Hatten, will describe what discrimination looks like in educational settings at the student and instructor levels, discuss parent perspectives on the effects of discrimination, and provide strategies to prevent discrimination.
Register here.

Literacy Minnesota: How to Work Effectively with Muslims
2023-10-30 19:30 - 21:30 | Virtual
Join Jaylani Hussein of CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) MN for a proactive diversity training that bridges the gap of misunderstanding and provides resources to employers, attorneys, community leaders and educators. First, the presentation will open with a brief introduction on how to effectively work with Muslim learners by bringing awareness and eliminating a potential bias. The second segment highlights Muslim demographics worldwide, in the United States and in Minnesota. The third part of this presentation will include how to provide religious accommodations in an educational setting. It emphasizes: a) the main practices for which school staff should expect a request for accommodation and b) practices to be mindful of when interacting with Muslim learners.
Register here.

CAL’s 8 Fundamental Principles of Effective Adult English Language Instruction
2023-11-09 15:00 - 16:30
Unlock the power of effective adult language instruction!
Calling all passionate educators! Elevate your teaching skills and inspire your adult English learners with two FREE webinars exploring CAL’s Eight Fundamental Principles of Effective Adult Language Education.
Webinar 1: Principles 1–4 Date: November 9, 2023 Time: 3:00–3:45 PM
Delve into strategies for adult language instruction, covering learner-centeredness, leveraging learners’ assets, and incorporating all language modalities. Discover classroom and virtual activities to keep your learners motivated and boost their language proficiency.
Webinar 2: Principles 5–8 Date: November 16, 2023 Time: 3:00–3:45 PM Elevate your teaching with insights on comprehensible input, developing metacognitive awareness in learners, and creating a supportive learning environment. Equip yourself with a toolkit of techniques to create an inclusive, engaging, and immersive language learning experience.

Lessons from the Field with Stan Citron: Strategies to Help Students Become More Fluent English Speakers
2023-11-09 15:30 - 17:00
This webinar will examine how to teach students to speak more fluently (“Fluent English”). Stan will explain the “Fluent English” principles and provide tools to put these principles into practice. These tools are:

“Color Vowels” and syllable-stress to improve word pronunciation,
The Three Sounds of “Ed” exercises to help students use “-ed” verbs with confidence,
“Everyday English” exercises using reductions and sentence stress to speak more naturally,
Songs/speeches that allow students to put the Fluent English principles into practice,
“Listen and Imitate” exercises that allow students to practice mimicking the rhythm and sounds of Fluent English, and
A well-known learning app that can help students improve their accent and conversational skills.

In addition, Stan has developed a Fluent English Handbook and website with classroom-tested practical exercises that will be shared with webinar participants.
Register here.

VALRC: Digital Literacy for Multilingual Learners Webinar Series, Session 3: Virtual Instruction for Beginning Multilingual Learners
2023-11-14 15:00 - 16:30 | Virtual
Do you facilitate online classes for learners who are just beginning to develop their English skills? How can you create language learning opportunities for learners using technology AND English for the first time?
This webinar is designed to provide effective and engaging strategies for English practice during online classes. Participants will discuss features of communications platforms, presentation software, specific apps and websites that can support language learning opportunities in the online classroom. They will collaborate to choose activities for different parts of a lesson plan.
This webinar is meant for online instructors of beginning level multilingual learners. They will receive resources for use with online classes including recommended Open Educational Resources (OER) from CrowdED Learning and Skillblox.
Objectives:

Understand basic features of communications platforms
Discuss presentation software, and a selection of apps and websites
Collaborate to create a an effective lesson plan for beginners supported by a variety of resources

Register Here
