Tune In: Explore NCELA’s Podcast Collection | | |
Did you know NCELA has a vast podcast collection? Celebrate National Podcast Day on September 30 by exploring episodes featuring insights and perspectives on supporting ELs and their families. The collection covers topics including postsecondary education, teacher preparation, family engagement, early learning, literacy, and more.
Whether you’re a longtime podcast listener or looking for a new way to learn, there’s something for everyone to explore.
| | Download the EL Family Toolkit App | |
The EL Family Toolkit provides families and educators with helpful tips, tools, and resources to support ELs enrolled in U.S. schools. The FREE app is available in multiple languages and can be downloaded on Android and Apple devices.
Haven’t downloaded it yet? Check out our tutorial videos for step-by-step instructions, and share the app with families, educators, and others who may benefit.
| | Build Your Knowledge With NCELA’s LIEP Learning Series | | |
Six modules, one goal: Strengthening language instruction educational programs.
NCELA’s LIEP Learning Series is a six-module, self-paced learning opportunity designed to help you build your knowledge and strengthen your understanding of language instruction educational programs. Complete each module at your own pace and earn a certificate for every module. Upon completing all six modules, request a digital badge from AskNCELA.
| | The Coalition of Community-Based Heritage Language Schools is excited to announce that registration for the 13th Annual Community-Based Heritage Language Schools Conference is now open. The hybrid conference will be held October 2–3, 2026, both onsite at American University in Washington, DC, and online.The event brings together educators, administrators, researchers, community members, and language advocates interested in supporting and advancing community-based heritage language schools. | | |
October 16–19, 2026
54th Annual TABE Conference
In-Person Conference
| Join bilingual and multilingual education leaders from across Texas, October 16–19, 2026, at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter for the TABE Conference & Expo. The conference will bring together approximately 1,500 educators for networking, inspiring keynote presentations, more than 90 breakout sessions, and nearly 100 exhibitor booths featuring innovative tools and resources. Guided by the theme, “Leading the Future con voz, lenguaje e identidad,” attendees will gain practical strategies to support bilingual and biliterate student success and receive a complimentary 2027 TABE membership. | | |
November 10–14, 2026
La Cosecha 2026
In-Person Conference
| La Cosecha brings together educators, parents, researchers, and practitioners from across the country to share research, best practices, and innovative strategies for supporting dual language, bilingual, heritage language, and EL programs. Designed by teachers for teachers, the conference provides valuable learning and networking opportunities for those committed to multilingual education. | | NAELPA and Dual Language Education New Mexico are hosting a joint pre-conference institute for leaders of Dual Language and Bilingual Education (DLBE) programs at the state, district, and school level. The pre-conference institute, “Dual Language Education Foundations for State, District, and School Leadership” includes topics like developing a leadership framework, elementary programs, secondary programs, using the Dual Language Guiding Principles, analyzing DLBE program success, and more. | | |
November 20–21, 2026
TESOL 2026 Virtual Convention
Virtual Convention
| Connect with thousands of your colleagues around the world at the premier online event for English language teaching (ELT) — the TESOL 2026 Virtual Convention. At this dynamic 2-day event, you will gain fresh strategies, best practices, and tools to meet the needs of those you support; discover new perspectives from ELT professionals in diverse contexts; stay current on the latest research and trends in the field; and return to your work energized and inspired. You can also register for the Virtual Graduate Student Forum before the convention. | | |
February 27, 2027
9th Annual Dual Language Symposium
In-Person Conference
| Join educators, leaders, and researchers from across the country on February 27, 2027, at Roosevelt University. Guided by the theme, “Growing Together for Multilingual Learner Success,” attendees will share research, best practices, and innovative strategies to strengthen their work with MLs. Designed by teachers for teachers, the conference provides valuable learning and networking opportunities for those committed to dual language and multilingual education. The event draws more than 200 attendees and features an inspiring keynote presentation, exhibitor booths of multilingual resources, and more than 20 breakout sessions. | | |
Department of War Education Activity
The DoWEA Seal of Biliteracy Award: Open for SY26-27
The Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) announces the opening of its SY 2026–2027 Seal of Biliteracy Award program. In SY 2025–2026, 509 graduating seniors earned the Seal of Biliteracy. To qualify, high school seniors must demonstrate high-level proficiency in both English and a second language such as American Sign Language, Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, and Spanish for Heritage Speakers. Students satisfy the English requirement by earning qualifying scores on a DoWEA English language proficiency assessment.
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Boston25 News
'We Live in a Global Society’ – More Public Schools Offering Dual Language Programs
Across Massachusetts, more students are beginning the school year with the opportunity to become bilingual. One program experiencing enrollment increases in its dual language immersion programming is Manthala George Jr. Global Studies School, the highest-performing elementary school in Brockton Public Schools. The district sees many benefits for learners enrolled in these programs, including increased abilities in problem solving and collaboration.
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KTNV Las Vegas
CCSD Dual Language Program Gives East Las Vegas Students a Head Start on Their Future
At Robert E. Lake Elementary School in Las Vegas, students can learn academic content in English and Spanish. The article describes the benefits that educators, administrators, parents, and businesses see in fostering bilingualism. “When they leave the school district or they’re ready to apply for college or apply for a job, they are biliterate,” said Erick Casallas, assistant superintendent of CCSD’s English Language Learner Division. “Which is different from being bilingual, meaning that I can speak, read, write and listen in both languages confidently.”
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CCNetwork
Learning Agenda Playbooks
The U.S. Department of Education's newly released Learning Agenda Playbooks is a tool that helps states implement their strategic plans. This tool can guide states to better understand policy and instructional challenges, collect appropriate evidence, and make data-informed decisions to continuously improve their operations, policies, and practices for learners and their families.
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Regional Educational Laboratory Appalachia
Strengthening Attendance Using Multi-Tiered Family Engagement Strategies
This infographic offers research-informed, multi-tiered family engagement strategies that educators and schools can implement to improve chronic absenteeism. Tier 1 universal strategies include creating a welcoming environment for families and helping families understand the link between school attendance and learning outcomes. Tier 3 intensive strategies include co-creating with families an individualized attendance plan for learners.
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Multilingual Learner Funder Collaborative
Strengthening Literacy Instruction for Multilingual Learners
Informed by extensive research, including recommendations from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and the National Academies, this resource highlights three instructional practices that support early career teachers who work with MLs. Each practice includes observable “look fors” to help early career teachers enact and reflect on English language arts instruction for MLs.
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REL West Webinar: Introducing the Evidence-Based Toolkit for Teaching K–3 Reading Comprehension
Join REL West on September 29 at 3:00 p.m. ET for an introductory webinar on the Toolkit for Teaching K–3 Reading Comprehension, an evidence-based professional learning resource designed to help teachers, instructional coaches, and school leaders implement effective reading comprehension practices. Participants will explore the toolkit’s key components, evidence-based practices, and resources for supporting high-quality reading comprehension instruction in diverse learning environments.
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Education Week Webinar: The Principal's Role in Collective Efficacy and Student Outcomes
Join Education Week on September 29 at 2:00 p.m. ET for a session exploring the research behind collective teacher efficacy and its connection to student achievement. Participants will learn how principals’ leadership efficacy can influence teacher confidence, explore practices principals can use to strengthen their own sense of efficacy, and discover strategies for building stronger collective teacher belief across their schools to support improved student outcomes.
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Connecting to Curriculum: Engaging Families in Student Writing
How can educators engage families to support their MLs’ language development and learning? One approach is to connect families to the curriculum. This resource highlights how multilingual educator Samhita Basuthakur and her seventh- and eighth-grade MLs incorporated family interviews and collaboration into their writing units, offering educators ideas for building meaningful connections between classroom learning and families.
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National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA)
| | Disclaimer: NCELA Nexus is intended to share information that can be of use to educators, parents, learners, leaders, and other stakeholders in their efforts to ensure that all students, including English learners, are provided with the highest-quality education and expanded opportunities to succeed. The information and materials presented in NCELA Nexus do not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or partiality by NCELA, the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), or the U.S. Department of Education. | | | | |
