2009 / 2010 Projects in Virginia

Grant-writing Resources

• Tips from the Field
• Regional Adult Education, PD 16 (.doc)
• Adult Education, Prince William County Public Schools (.doc)
• English Literacy/Civics Education Competitive Grant Application Packet, 2009-2010 (.doc)

Data Resources

• The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act:
  Recommendations for Addressing the Needs of English Language Learners - March 20, 2009
  Executive Summary (.pdf)
  Full report (.pdf)

  This report addresses the implications of the rapid growth of English learner (ELL) populations in areas that have had little or no prior experience serving ELL groups. While the report focuses on the K12 context, it discusses the social and economic consequences of low levels of educational attainment by non-English speakers in general.

• United States Government Accountability Office: English Language Learning - July 2009
  Diverse Federal and State Efforts to Support Adult English Language Learning could Benefit from More Coordination
  Highlights (.pdf)
  Full text

  In this report, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) discusses the recent increase in adults who ‘speak English less than very well’ and their participation in English-language instruction programs. Key issues in English language instruction and the factors that lead to success in language acquisition are addressed. The report also enumerates many of the steps taken by federal agencies to focus specifically on English-language acquisition.

Internet Resources

• Free Material from NY City Commission on Human Rights
  The New York City Commission on Human Rights has published free materials, including workbooks and video, on immigrant employment rights.  Virginia programs interested in supplementing their ESL or EL/Civics programs with employment materials may find them worthwhile for classroom use or adaptation.
• Fairfax EL/Civics Curriculum (Upper Proficiency Level)
  These learner-centered modules stress problem-solving and learner interaction around many life skills topics and contain complete lesson plans, reproducible handouts, and optional computer-based activities.
• Fairfax EL/Civics Curriculum (Lower Proficiency Levels)
  This EL/Civics curriculum espouses learner self-expression, peer interaction, community awareness and participation, personal research, and problem-solving.
• Toolkit for ESL Teachers Supporting Skilled Immigrants
  World Education Services has created a website, Global Talent Bridge, www.globaltalentbridge.org , and toolkit to help ESL practitioners who work with this group of immigrants with professional backgrounds.