In the world of education, understanding and adapting to the unique language skills of ELLs is a paramount goal for every dedicated teacher.
In this episode of Equipping ELLs, we welcome back to the show, Courtney Morgan from The All-Access Classroom! Courtney sheds light on the transformative power of Proficiency Level Descriptors (PLDs) by WIDA, a free resource that can revolutionize the way educators assess and define their ELL students’ language skills.
PLDs are tables that describe multilingual learners’ language growth across levels of English language proficiency (PL), from PL1 to PL6.
Using this amazing resource, teachers have grade-specific, level-specific, language domain-specific statements to compare to their students’ abilities. Regular assessment using PLDs enables educators to accurately track students’ language proficiency progress and customize their support to meet individual needs effectively!
PLDs can be utilized to comprehensively assess students’ language skills, monitor their growth, educate colleagues, advocate for students, and differentiate instruction.
This episode of the Equipping ELLs podcast equips educators with valuable insights and practical strategies for enhancing their support for ELL students. Whether you’re a seasoned teacher or a newcomer to the field, understanding and utilizing PLDs can significantly enhance your ability to meet the unique needs of your ELL students. Don’t miss this valuable resource!
Topics Discussed In This Episode:
- What are PLDs, and where can I find them?
- Understanding the significance of PLDs
- The importance of regular assessment and personalized support
- Practical Applications of PLDs in the classroom
Resources:
- Join the Equipping ELLs Membership (We have everything you need for your school year!)
- Shop our TpT Store for Hundreds of ELL Resources
- Free Proficiency Level Descriptors (PLDs) from WIDA
- The All-Access Classroom
- Connect with Courtney on Instagram
Connect with Beth:
More about Equipping ELLs:
We all know that teaching isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be this hard. Equipping ELLs is a podcast for both ESL specialists and homeroom teachers who are looking for effective and engaging ways to support their English Language Learners without adding to their endless to-do list. Tune in each week to hear tips, strategies, and inspirational stories that will empower you to better reach your ELL students, equip them with life-long skills, and strengthen relationships with colleagues and parents.
Your host, Beth Vaucher, is the founder of Inspiring Young Learners. She is an ESL certified homeroom teacher with over 10 years of experience teaching in the US and internationally. Her background of M.Ed in ESL and Curriculum and Instruction combined with her experience has led her to develop a bestselling newcomer curriculum that has sold in over 90 countries around the globe. She brings a different perspective to teaching ELLs from her years teaching and living abroad and working with ELLs from around the world. You will walk away from each episode with the ideas and tools you need to transform your experience as a teacher and cultivate a thriving and welcoming environment for your ELL students.
