Empower every learner through comprehensive, culturally responsive, and evidence-based literacy practices designed for multilingual classrooms.

This four-day virtual institute is designed for educators, instructional coaches, and school or district leaders seeking to strengthen literacy outcomes for multilingual learners through evidence-based, research-informed instruction. Grounded in the National Committee for Effective Literacy (NCEL) Comprehensive Literacy Instruction for English Language Learners framework (Olsen, 2022), the institute integrates current research on oral language development, metalinguistic and cross-linguistic awareness, and culturally sustaining literacy practices.

Through interactive sessions, collaborative reflection, and hands-on strategy application, participants will explore how to integrate language and literacy instruction in ways that affirm multilingual learners’ identities, build on their linguistic strengths, and promote academic achievement.

What You Will Learn

During the Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction for Multilingual Learners Institute, participants will:

• Explore the Comprehensive Literacy Approach for Multilingual Learners and its core elements: precursor skills and conditions, essential elements of literacy instruction, and effective contexts for learning.
• Examine the intersections of language development and literacy through the lens of oral language, translanguaging, and cross-linguistic transfer.
• Identify and address common misconceptions about second language acquisition that impact literacy instruction and equity.
• Explore how culturally and linguistically sustaining pedagogy enhances the impact of literacy practices.
• Design classroom or school-level plans that leverage students’ linguistic and cultural assets to foster biliteracy development and literacy transfer across languages.

This Institute Is Ideal For

• General education, ESL, and bilingual teachers
• Literacy specialists and instructional coaches
• Dual language and biliteracy program leaders
• District and school administrators
• Curriculum and assessment designers focused on multilingual learners

About CAL Institutes
This institute draws on the Center for Applied Linguistics’ decades of expertise in multilingual learner education and professional development. Grounded in the latest research and tailored for real-world implementation, CAL Institutes provide practical, collaborative learning experiences that equip educators to translate theory into effective classroom and systems-level practice.

Certificate of Completion
Participants will receive a Digital Badge for 22 hours of attendance and engagement. CAL-Credly badges are verifiable digital credentials that recognize professional learning and expertise. Share your badge on LinkedIn and other platforms to showcase your commitment to advancing literacy and equity for multilingual learners through evidence-based instruction.