In this course, participants will learn the difference between cultural load and cognitive load. Multilingual learners often face substantial barriers to accessing learning. Teachers will apply this new learning in a way that supports reducing barriers for multilingual learning.
This course counts towards compliance with Colorado’s requirement for license renewal for ELLs (2 credit hours of the 45 hours required).
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This 8-credit course provides educators with a comprehensive, practical understanding of the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) Model, a research-based framework designed to support English Learners in accessing grade-level content while developing academic language.
Participants will explore all eight components of the SIOP Model, including lesson preparation, building background, comprehensible input, strategies, interaction, practice and application, lesson delivery, and review and assessment. Through real-world application, reflection, and instructional planning, educators will learn how to design and deliver lessons that intentionally integrate language and content objectives.
This course emphasizes immediate classroom application, equipping educators with strategies to scaffold instruction, increase student engagement, and support multilingual learners across content areas. Participants will develop aligned lesson plans, implement SIOP strategies, and analyze their impact on student learning.
Aligned with Colorado Department of Education expectations for English Learner professional development, this course supports educators in strengthening equitable instructional practices and improving outcomes for diverse learners.
Lesson Objectives:
- Explain the purpose, research base, and structure of the SIOP Model
- Identify and describe the eight components of the SIOP Model
- Design standards-aligned lesson plans with clear content and language objectives
- Integrate SIOP features into lesson planning to support English Learners
- Build and connect to students’ background knowledge to enhance comprehension
- Apply strategies for comprehensible input, including visuals, modeling, and adapted instruction
- Implement scaffolding techniques to support language development across proficiency levels
- Facilitate structured student interaction to promote academic language use
- Design opportunities for meaningful practice and application of content and language skills
- Develop formative and summative assessments aligned to content and language objectives
- Monitor student progress and adjust instruction based on data and observation
- Reflect on instructional practices to improve outcomes for English Learners
- Apply SIOP strategies to create inclusive and equitable learning environments
This course provides educators with a foundational understanding of how language is learned, with a focus on the theories, research, and historical perspectives that have shaped language acquisition and instruction. Participants will explore key concepts in first and second language development, examine major theoretical frameworks, and develop a deeper understanding of the linguistic, cognitive, and social factors that influence how students acquire language.
Rather than focusing on instructional strategies, this course builds the conceptual knowledge educators need to interpret student language development, understand diverse learner needs, and make informed instructional decisions. Grounded in research and theory, this course supports educators in developing a strong foundation for working with multilingual learners across educational settings.
Lesson Objectives:
- Explain the difference between first language acquisition and second language learning
- Describe major theories of language acquisition, including behaviorist, nativist, interactionist, and sociocultural perspectives
- Analyze the contributions of key researchers (e.g., Krashen, Cummins, Vygotsky, Chomsky) to the field of language learning
- Define and distinguish between key concepts such as BICS and CALP, input vs. output, and acquisition vs. learning
- Examine the role of comprehensible input in language development
- Understand the concept of the affective filter and its impact on language acquisition
- Explain stages of second language development and what they indicate about learner progress
- Describe the relationship between language, cognition, and academic development
- Analyze how culture and identity influence language learning
- Understand the role of social interaction and environment in language acquisition
- Explain how multilingualism impacts brain development and learning
- Interpret common misconceptions about language learners and language acquisition
- Examine historical shifts in language learning theory and their impact on education
- Develop a conceptual framework for understanding how students acquire academic language
This 45-hour course equips educators with research-based strategies to effectively support English Language Learners (ELLs) in K–12 classrooms. Aligned with Colorado Department of Education (CDE) standards, participants will deepen their understanding of language acquisition, culturally and linguistically responsive instruction, and scaffolded content delivery. The course emphasizes practical application, ensuring educators can immediately implement strategies that improve access, engagement, and academic outcomes for multilingual learners. THIS COURSE MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSE RENEWAL WITH THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. For. more information see here: CDE EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Explain stages of second language acquisition and their instructional implications
Design and deliver scaffolded, standards-aligned lessons for ELLs
Integrate language objectives with content objectives
Apply culturally responsive and trauma-informed instructional practices
Use formative and summative assessments to support language development
Differentiate instruction to meet diverse proficiency levels
Course Modules
Foundations of Language Development
Second language acquisition theory
Sociocultural and linguistic considerations
Language Objectives & Academic Language
Writing measurable language objectives
Supporting academic discourse
Scaffolded Instructional Strategies
Gradual release model
Sentence frames, visuals, and modeling
Culturally & Linguistically Responsive Teaching
Asset-based approaches
Building inclusive learning environments
Assessment for ELLs
Formative assessment strategies
Progress monitoring and data use
Application & Instructional Planning
Lesson design and implementation
Reflection and instructional refinement
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