about the project

English Learners, Language, and Literacy in the Early Years (ELLLEY), a collaboration between WestEd and the California Department of Education, Child Development Division, introduces teachers of preschool English learners to basic concepts related to second language acquisition, home literacy and language practices, and emergent literacy skills.

This professional development service weaves together concepts and practical, evidence-based strategies that practitioners can use daily with preschool English learners. Training is offered through interactive seminars, providing teachers, assistant teachers, program directors, and professional development specialists and other practitioners with an integrated research-based approach to guide practice with young English learners on a particular topic.

Interactive Seminars

Each four-hour interactive seminar provides practitioners with an integrated research-based approach to guide practice with young English learners on a particular topic:

• Supporting the Oral Language Development of Young English Learners
• Fostering the Literacy Development of Young English Learners
• Nurturing a Strong Family Connection Around Language and Literacy

• explore foundational concepts on a given topic based on the research literature;
• participate in hands-on activities that weave foundational concepts with practice;
• engage in critical discussion of concepts and strategies;
• analyze video segments that showcase best practices with young English learners; and
• develop a lesson/action plan to integrate new content and strategies into the curriculum.