Boosting Achievement: The ESL Podcast

If you want to make a difference for all the newcomers enrolling in your schools, this is a great show with lots of free resources.  Carol Salva (@MsSalvaC) interviews guest iMargaret Gisala Rutaquio (@aggie_rutaquio), a Multilingual Programs Newcomer Facilitator from Garland ISD. Margaret shares her Ambassador program, intake process and ideas for newcomer leadership.

Derek Rhodenizer (@DerekRhodenizer) and Carol (@MsSalvaC) reflect on several aspects of leadership. He is about to take a new assistant principal position and will begin serving Multilingual Learners in public education for the first time. The conversation is full of reflective moments that can support the learning journey of anyone serving language learners.

SLIFE (or Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education) are able to learn quickly but their degree of motivation can significantly affect their progress. This show breaks down the 4 things Carol focuses on for increasing motivation. The advice is aligned to an article by Larry Ferlazzo & the work of Dr. Lora Beth Escalante, Daniel Pink and others. Find links at bit.ly/BAPODCAST, Episode 1...

Dr. Ilene Winokur (@IleneWinokur) joins Carol and Stephen to discuss her new book, Journey to Belonging. The three talk about the research, the impacts and practical ways to create a safe place for learning.

In the show, Dr. Margaret Aisicovich (@MAisicovich), Stephen Hurley (@Stephen_Hurley) and Dr. Carol Salva (@MsSalvaC) talk about some of the realities outlined in Margaret's new book, "100 Ways to Kill a Teacher: Cautionary Tales about Public Education in Canada).  It is a collection of stories regarding the pitfalls, heartbreaks, and limitations teachers can expect to face in the field of educati...

Take your choice boards to the next level! John Carlson of Kid-Inspired Classroom joins Carol Salva & Stephen Hurley to share a practical idea that offers increased engagement & differentiation for all level learners. John and Carol also reflect on the benefits of sharing your practices and sharing the ideas of others.

Are you ready?? In some parts of the world, we are already in Back-to-School PD!  So, as we do every year, we are sharing top tips for the New Arrival classroom & how they may look in the current reality. Carol Salva talks about the 2021-2022 school year with Stephen Hurley on a LIVE Boosting Achievement episode and that show is a big chunk of this podcast episode. 

Special guest, John Seidlitz (@JohnSeidlitz), joined a live show to talk with Carol (@MsSalvaC) and Stephen (@Stephen_Hurley) about an incredible opportunity on July 21, 2021.  The free conference, Amplifying the Voices of Unaccompanied Minors, will feature inspiring speakers who have lived the experience of arriving to the United States unaccompanied

Carol Salva (@MsSalvaC) & Stephen Hurley (@Stephen_Hurley) are joined by special guest Dr. Margaret Aisichovich (@MAisicovich). Dr. Aisicovich is a PhD, author, former ESL educator, former principal and more. Her research is important to our thinking about how prepared we feel to support SLIFE (Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education). This show offers an opportunity to reflect on th...

@KatieToppel, @TanKHuynh, and @MsSalvaC are thrilled to bring you their 5th annual completely free, YouTube conference for teachers of Multilingual Learners.  Even if you find this show after July 2021, all the sessions are still there...as are the ones from 2017 to 2020! Shownotes are at bitl.ly/BAPODCAST

The Newcomer Academy in Jefferson County Public Schools has been serving new arrival high school students for 15 years. Principal Gwen Snow (@GwenCSnow) and Assistant Principal, Dr. Irina McGrath (@Irina_McGrath) share some very important actions they are taking to best educate their newcomer and SLIFE learners in their high school.

In this show, Carol (@MsSalvaC) and Stephen (@Stephen_Hurley) reflect on the labels we use to describe language learners. In the conversation includes a discussion on multiple perspectives and hope but also offers some practical advice on creating an environment that supports and embraces diversity.

Viana Armstrong (@armstrongvi) joins Carol (@MsSalvaC) to talk about a successful family engagement experience. Viana talks about how a virtual concert had a positive impact on the families of multilingual learners in her rural Texas district. She also shared a program for family involvement and education. Carol reflects on the effect of these types of efforts and how they can may be the most powe...

Author and award-winning journalist, Jo Napolitano (@Jo_Napolitano) joins Carol (@MsSalvaC) to talk about her new book, "The School I Deserve, Six Young Refugees and Their Fight for Equality in America." The show includes an excerpt read aloud by Jo, a conversation about the true events, and the importance of the story for educators. Carol also adds commentary on how she is using the book to prope...

Natalia Heckman (@NataliaESL) joins Carol (@MsSalvaC) to offer us tips on engaging ELs with writing. A student may not be excited about constructing and deconstructing sentences, but we can certainly engage them enough to do just that. Natalia shows us how!

Dr. Katie Toppel (@Toppel_EDL) shares her tips, techniques, and mindset for successfully supporting Kinder and 1st grade diverse students. Tan Huynh (@TanKHuynh) and Carol Salva (@MsSalvaC) interview their co-author, Dr. Toppel, about what's working with her young students.

Instructional coach, Sara Sparks (@SaraSparks21) joins Carol (@MsSalvaC) and Stephen Hurley (@Stephen_Hurley) for a LIVE show about supporting unengaged or failing students. Sara has practical tips for connecting with families and engaging students in this difficult time. Show notes are at bit.ly/BAPODCAST

Carol reflects on her week in the Texas Blizzard. She describes what it was like for her family and friends and how the experience helps her reflect on the mindset we need to support our students right now.

Natalia Heckman joins Carol to explain the need for syntax instruction with ELs and how it does not need to be boring! Natalia is an educational consultant in high demand because she offers engaging EL trainings. She also has a proven track record for boosting the writing scores of older ELs on standardized assessments. This episode offers many links to free resources and opportunities to learn fr...

Description: Carol explains her favorite January activities to support immigrant youth. She includes many resources for educators that want to work with compelling text and support ELs to listen, speak, read and write daily. The show explains how to facilitate the activities so they are practical and highly engaging for students.

Carol's guest is Michigan Educator Jen Steffens (@JenJenniels) who shares about a breakthrough with some of her Newcomer students. Jen and Carol reflect on the incredible payoff that is possible, even during a pandemic, when we exercise persistence, patience and high expectations for all learners.

You may have some great websites for your English Learners but what if they move? Do they still have access to them? Are they high interest for older learners? This show offers a top tip. Carol explains how to use NewsInLevels and how it can help your ELs take ownership of their language acquisition and literacy. It's also a GREAT idea for their parents.

Valentina Gonzalez (@ValentinaESL ) and Dr. Melinda Miller (@DrMelindaMiller ) join Carol to offer a sneak peek at their new book for K-5 educators. They share tips, insight and advice for working with ELs in a Balanced Literacy Framework. They also share about opportunities to join free PD events with them.

Michelle Shory (@Michelleshory) and Drew Courtney (@mrcourtney_esl) join Carol Salva (@MsSalvac) to talk about teaching ELs online when you've never met them, they have jobs, they don't have chromebooks, and they are at risk of aging out. Their adventures in teaching summer school and their roles at coaches offer fantastic insight!