Unlocking Literacy: Science of Reading Strategies for Multilingual Learners (Grades K-12) / Flex Course
PDI Course Number: 167T02 / UCSD Course Number: EDUC42637
Course Description
As states and districts across the country embrace the science of reading, do you find yourself wondering if those same principles and best practices can also be used with your multilingual learners? Or does this “special” population need to rely on a completely different approach to literacy so that they can simultaneously master English and content successfully? This online professional development course provides K-12 teachers with a deep dive into the unique challenges faced by multilingual learners as they strive to master content standards while simultaneously learning English. Teachers will explore the various stages of new language acquisition, and they will understand the differences between a student’s social language (BICS) and their academic language (CALP). From there, teachers will thoroughly explore the science of reading, including all five areas of the “Big 5” of reading instruction (phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension), along with a variety of strategies to engage multilingual learners in a culturally relevant way. Teachers will learn how to overcome the challenge of trying to align second language acquisition with the science of reading including how to stimulate students’ growth mindsets while embracing several different co-teaching models to further engage their multilingual learners in the learning process. Research-based assessment best practices for multilingual learners are shared, including specific assessments for students’ language ability as well as how to assess and monitor their academic progress across all areas of the “Big 5” using both formative and summative assessments. Teachers will also learn how to use the WIDA Can-Do Descriptors to guide their students to greater understanding while simultaneously providing them with equitable grading practices. By the end of this continuing education course, teachers will feel more confident and successful in their quest to combine science of reading best practices with research-based strategies to help their multilingual learners become more literate readers. This online professional development course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units/5 quarter units (50 hours of training) from University of California San Diego (UCSD) Division of Extended Studies. For detailed information on receiving university credit for your PDI professional development course, visit our credit page.
Need help? Melissa Breazeale, PDI Program Specialist, is ready to assist.
This course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units or 5 quarter units of graduate-level credit from UCSD.
You have up to one year from the date you are enrolled to complete a flex course.
View the online course syllabus.
Print our customized course approval form to share with your school district.
TOPICAL OUTLINE
UCSD Course Number: EDUC42637
Unit One
- Who Are Our Multilingual Learners?
- The Multilingual Learner’s Journey into Learning a New Language
- Culturally Responsive Teaching in the Multilingual Classroom
- Assignment #1: Write an autobiography
- Test #1
Unit Two
- The Science of Reading and the “Big 5”
- The Four Main Skills of Learning a New Language
- Combining the Science of Second Language Acquisition with the Science of Reading
- Assignment #2: Article reflection
- Test #2
Unit Three
- Standards-Based Learning Objectives
- Best Practices for English-Language Development
- Assessment with an Equity Lens
- Assignment #3: Share your expertise
- Test #3
Unit Four
- Fostering a Growth Mindset
- Building MLLs’ Phonemic Awareness Skills with the Science of Reading
- Building MLLs’ Phonics and Decoding Skills with the Science of Reading
- Test #4
Unit Five
- Building MLLs’ Fluency Skills with the Science of Reading
- Building MLLs’ Vocabulary Skills with the Science of Reading
- Building MLLs’ Comprehension Skills with the Science of Reading
- Test #5
Unit Six
- Best Research-Based Assessment Practices for MLLs
- Assessing MLLs with the Science of Reading
- Using Formative Assessment Data to Drive Learning Forward for MLLs
- Assignment #4: Respond to classroom literacy scenarios
- Assignment #5: Course Reflection

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