2025 Spokane Regional ESL Conference

Differentiating can be overwhelming and seemingly impossible. How do we differentiate? PAWS - a mnemonic device used to keep differentiation in the forefront for educators to utilize, helping to ease teacher load and increase language and content gains. PAWS supports classrooms for success!

Gafar (2024) found that “storytelling…is entertaining, interesting, and memorable.” This session demonstrates how Cherokee, African American, and Lakota elders tell stories in films to reinforce language learners’ identity while increasing listening, reading, and speaking skills. Materials are provided.

Multilingual learners (MLs) interact in spaces everyday with the greater community outside of the familiar welcoming spaces of our classrooms. As educators and advocates, we not only teach, but aid our students by forwarding resources or sharing important community information.  Bringing together a panel of community organizations that serve BIPOC and immigrant/refugees will explore the intersection of learning, advocacy, and community engagement for our learners. We also propose actions to support our students and community in an even more increasingly challenging environment for education and MLs.  

This session introduces a practical framework for selecting Web 2.0 tools in ESL based on task engagement facilitators. Learn how to evaluate tools like Kahoot and Padlet for authenticity, interest, and interaction, and discover strategies to enhance learner engagement and language acquisition.