Boosting Achievement: The ESL Podcast

Trauma-Informed Instruction doesn't need to be a mystery. This show is so important because now, more than ever, we need practical ways to support students from hard places. In this episode, Dr. Carol Salva interviews Elise White Diaz, a key figure in the space of trauma-informed instruction for multilingual learners.  Find all the links and full show notes at Bit.ly/BAP130.  Elise recently authored a book titled "Discover, Connect, Respond: A Practical Approach to Trauma-Informed Instruction," which is receiving recognition for its significance in addressing the challenges faced by immigrant and underprivileged students.   Listeners will take away ideas they can use immediately.  

The newcomer teacher's role may be changing as Multilingual Learner numbers change.  In this episode of the Boosting Achievement ESL Podcast, Dr. Carol Salva shares about how an ELD professional can support content teachers who may be new to serving Multilinguals. You'll also get free resources to go with the recommendations. Links are at BIT.LY/BAPODCASTThis episode includes AI-generated content.

How should newcomer teachers approach this school year when there are so many challenges for our immigrant families?  What are the best activities for the first days of school?  Dr. Carol Salva discusses these questions with award-winning educator and author, Larry Ferlazzo.  Find extensive show notes with links here: BIT.LY/BAPODCAST Episode 128

What questions do educators have right now about serving SLIFE and other new arrival Multilingual Learners?  Maybe you're feeling overwhelmed?  Or perhaps you want to know how to manage multiple student perspectives in this challenging climate. I received some very thoughtful questions from some outstanding educators who are using Boosting Achievement of SLIFE at Georgian Court University in their graduate program.  Thanks to Dr. Denise Furlong, we all get to reflect on the questions and our answers.   All episode notes with links are at BIT.LY/BAPODCAST

Dr. Carol Salva interviews award-winning professor and author, Dr. Francisco Jiménez.  Full show notes at bit.ly/BAPODCAST. This show offers inspiration to anyone teaching Multilingual Learners with interrupted education, students who may be fearful of deportation, and any students who may be struggling due to difficult circumstances. Dr. Jiménez was deported as a migrant farm worker when he was in school.  But his life is proof that a challenging event is not the end of a person's story.  His autobiographical books are listed by the American Library Assn's 50 best young adult books of all time.  They are so important for our empathy and our mindset.  Now we can add this podcast to our toolbox!  

Yes, we need to show students what to do to become more fluent.  They can make their language acquisition go so much faster. Dr. Carol Salva shares tips for that in the "What to do Right Now" part of this episode.  But these ideas fall flat if you are not helping learners reflect on how far they have come, and show them where they could be in a few months, years.. and beyond.  Find the links at bit.ly/BAPODCAST, Episode 125

Show notes are at bit.ly/BAPODCAST. If you are feeling distraught right now, Dr. Carol Salva has a process that might help you.  Many teachers of immigrant students are feeling distraught due to the results of the 2024 election. So this show is drawing on what Dr. Salva learned while teaching newcomers during difficult times.  Perhaps they can support you too. 

Based on the last 12 months of working with newcomer teachers, Carol (@DrCarolSalva) creates a short list of what Newcomer teachers can do to best serve new arrival learners and support their own self care.  The reflections in this show are for the beginning of the school year but can be done at any time.   

@DrCarolSalva offers ideas for getting the most out of time with Newcomer students. The show covers research and practical ideas for Newcomer Learners, Newcomer Teachers, and Content Area Teachers.  Some of the things mentioned in this show are KEY to receiving higher numbers of newcomers throughout the year in a way that makes sense for the teacher and the students.  Show notes can be found at bit.ly/BAP_122.  

In this episode Dr. Carol Salva interviews Khalil El-Saghir about supporting the educators of Multilingual Learners. His background is extensive! In the first half of this episode, we get to hear about where his passion comes from. The second half of the show ended up being a blueprint for an effective Language Assistance Program as he shares specific, essential elements every program should have.

Has your class grown?? Behavior getting off the rails a bit? It's a great time to hit the reset button if things have gone off track in the newcomer classroom. Mid-year was always the time of year that Dr. Carol Salva needed to think about doing a hard stop to reset things. Find the show notes at Bit.ly/BAPODCAST

Show notes are at the short link: bit.ly/BAPODCAST. This is a quick show that should resonate with SO MANY educators. Dr. Salva reflects on a quote by Voltaire, "Perfect is the Enemy of Good." Listeners may find it helpful to reflect on what they are not doing or not appreciating in their own work as they strive for perfection.

The wonderful Jessica Lander (@Jessica_Lander) is here to share about her book, Making Americans: Stories of Historic Struggles, New Ideas, and Inspiration in Immigrant Education. Dr. Salva highly recommends the book but you can get lots of the ideas for free by listening to this episode. All show notes are at BIT.LY/BAPODCAST. Find episode 118 for links to what was discussed on this show.

Dr. Carol Salva shares about how any teacher can differentiate and lift up the voices of their students with co-created text. This technique does not require planning but has quite a bit of research on its effectiveness. Find links in the show notes at bit.ly/BAP117

Our guest for this episode is world-renowned educator, Larry Ferlazzo. He joined Dr. Carol Salva to talk about his new book, The Student Motivation Handbook: 50 Ways to Boost an Intrinsic Desire to Learn. This is not a book exclusively for teachers of Multilingual Learners but it DEFINITELY is imporantt for the teacher of newcomers. Find the show notes at bit.ly/BAP116

Dr. Salva recommends co-creating text with newcomer students. It is no-prep and high return on investment. Key for accelerating language acquisition is to reuse that text! This episode is full of ideas for what teachers can do to support language acquisition through the re-purposing of co-created text.

How can foundational literacy skills be taught to older Emergent Bilingual students? This show is in direct response to educators and education leaders asking Dr. Carol Salva about phonics instruction (based on what we are hearing from the Science of Reading) and how that makes sense for our Multilingual Learners. I have lots of resources and practical ideas for you! Full Show Notes are at bit.ly/BAP114

Kim Thyberg (@KimberlyThyberg) joins Carol (@DrCarolSalva) to talk about how we begin teaching again after a traumatic event. This show focuses on new arrival students but the messages would apply to any classroom. The notes are at bit.ly/BAPODCAST and include several resources to dealing with trauma and Social-Emotional Learning.

Emily Francis (@EmilyFranESL), author of If You Only Knew: Letters from an Immigrant Student joins Dr. Carol Salva (@DrCarolSalva) to discuss Free Voluntary Reading with Newcomers and her own journey.

Dr. Salva reflects on holding our nSewcomers in high regard and teach them what to day when they don't know what to say. Language is not a cognitive issue. We need this important strategy so that everyone can be included and participate. But some things can go wrong when they don't speak the target language yet.

Dr. Salva revisits the top 5 things she always recommends for starting the school year but this show is mostly about the MINDSET we need as we serve our most marginalized students. @DrCarolSalva #BoostingAchievement

Dr. Carol Salva (@DrCarolSalva) is joined by author, trainer, and instructional coach, Nancy Motley (@NancyMotleyTRTW). Nancy shares several tips and strategies from her new book, "Small Moves, Big Gains: Teacher Habits that Help Kids to Talk More, Think More and Achieve More."

Dr. Carol Salva (@DrCarolSalva) is joined by Christopher Hagy, Assistant Director for Multilingual Learners in Charleston County School District. They are using this show to explain the QSSSA strategy and offer his teachers a padlet full of resources to learn about this powerful technique. The show offers the resources to anyone who wants to use them. The two discuss the strategy but also the way Chris is supporting teachers with multiple entry points to learning how to serve MLs.

Larry Ferlazzo (@LarryFerlazzo) and Katie Hull Sypnieski (@KHullSyp), educators and authors of The ESL/ELL Teacher's Survival Guide 2nd Edition, join Carol Salva (@MsSalvaC) to talk about their new resource. The three discuss all the free opportunities listeners have to use content from the book and the conversation also includes inspiring messages for today's educators of MLLs.

Dr. Denise Furlong (@denise_furlong) joins host Dr. Carol Salva (@MsSalvaC) to offer tips for supporting Newcomer students. Dr. Furlong also shares about her new book, Voices of Newcomers; Experiences of Multilingual Learners. Denise is a teacher educator at Georgian Court University in New Jersey, she is a consultant and a strong advocate for Multilingual Learners.

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 103

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 education.

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 the capability of SLIFE and the impact we can have as teachers, administrators, and educational organizations.

@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 powerful thing we can do right now.

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 propel the literacy of SLIFE learners.

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 from Natalia.

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!