Language Lab

In this video I discuss Chomsky's Revolutionary linguistic concept of Universal Grammar. Specifically, I discuss, the Language Acquisition Device, Generative Language and Phrase Structure Syntax and Recursion.

This is the introduction to a series on an overview of linguistics and how each branch of linguistics influences educational instruction.

In this episode I interview ChatGPT about Marzano's vocabulary instruction. We discuss the six steps as well as how to implement or support the steps with Comprehensible Input.

This is a short follow up to the previous episode where I review Stephen Krashen's Article on SIOP claims. In this interview on YouTube, link below, Krashen claims that if we are serious about the Comprehension Hypothesis it could have a significant financial impact on the publishing industry. These conversations have forced me to pause and reconsider information I share with teachers regarding efficacy of instructional strategies. Here is link to full interview this short clip comes from. https://youtu.be/_VYfpL6lcjE?si=i8lrpLnlKeINBc23

I was trained in the SIOP method and have used it as a foundation for an instructional paradigm for 17 years. This short article by Stephen Krashen, https://www.sdkrashen.com/content/articles/2013_siop_research_support_claims.pdf made me take pause and think more carefully about SIOP claims as well as what aspects of SIOP may or may not be useful in regards to language acquisition.

In this episode I share how understanding what phonemes and phonemic structures are help dual language students more clearly understand and articluate a new language.

In this episode I will continue the series on Language, What, Why and How. We will discuss how to write Language Objectives as well as Marzano's Six Steps to Academic Vocabulary development.

In this episode, I will begin to answer the question of "Why" are there supportive services for Emergent Bilingual or English Learners in the United States. We will review the Supreme Court Case Lau vs Nichols that established the legal foundation for Language Support services in public education in the United States.

I recently provided some professional development at my campus. I was asked to provide details regarding implementing academic vocabulary instruction. In order to understand vocabulary instruction I thought it would be helpful to answer a few more questions, What is Language, Why school focus on it and How we implement language rich instruction, related to academic vocabulary.

In this episode we will briefly discuss the role of an LPAC, Language Proficiency Assessment Committee, in public schools. We review the role of an identification LPAC, Assessment and End of Year as well as the role of a parent representative on the committee.

In this episode, I will describe two of the most common forms of ESL service models, Pull Out and Content Based. I will also describe the difference between Transitional and Maintenance Bilingual Models as well as the distinction between One Way and Two Way Bilingual education. If you have a student who is an Emergent Bilingual, it is important to understand the service model your school employs so you can understand the structure and goals of the model and how it may or may not benefit your student.

In this episode, I will go over the options parents have in regards to language services when a student is identified as an Emergent Bilingual.

In this episode I briefly discuss the criteria required to exit Emergent Bilingual Status. It requires a combination of assessments and scores, Advanced High composite TELPAS score combined with either IOWA or STAAR Reading proficienct score.

In this episode, I will discuss how students obtained EB status. EB status is also known as ESL, EL, or ELL. Students who receive this status as classified as "language learners" and are entitled under federal law to receive supports. This episode discusses the process how this occurs. I also detail the assessments that are used to help schools and the LPAC (Language Proficiency Assessment Committee) make decisions about students language status. I will give details about PreLas as well as Las Links. The assessments that are used to make this determination.

In this 1st episode of the Language Lab, I give a short description of who I am and what I want to accomplish for this podcast. I discuss who EB (Emergent Bilingual) also know as EL (English Learner) or ESL (English as Second Language) students are in public schools and why it matters we classify students in this category. I will discuss two landmark United States Supreme Court rulings that have set the foundation for the work I do and the service your students may or may not receive. I want to educate parents on exactly what and why is going on with Language Learners in public schools so they, the parents can be the best advocate they can be for their students.