Workshops

Help! Dyslexia in the ELL Classroom

How do we know if an English language learner in our classroom is Dyslexic and what can we do about it?  This workshop 

Dealing with suspected (or identified) learning disabilities can be a source of frustration for teachers. The challenge of dyslexia and adult English learners is further complicated by limited literacy and conflict with their L1. It’s a topic that is seldom addressed in TESL training or professional development within our sector, yet is a topic that teachers are eager to find answers and solutions for. In this workshop, teachers share the challenges they are seeing discover how they align with the markers of dyslexia and/or limited literacy. Strategies will be given as to how to further identify where the breakdowns lie and how to address these in the classroom. Is it enough to accommodate the challenges, or should we remediate them. If so, how?  This presentation is an on-site, 2-hour PD session and received excellent feedback.

Safe Spaces
Creating Trauma-informed Classrooms: A Toolkit for leaders

What is trauma, and how can we make our classrooms safe spaces?  This workshop focuses expands on these questions by exploring how the brain is affected by trauma, how it might present itself in your students, and how you, as the teacher / leader can make your spaces a welcoming environment for all learners.  The included case study will leave you both encouraged and uncomfortable as you consider how to implement these practices in your classroom.

Using Dyslexia Remediation Techniques for Adult ELLs with Limited Literacy

As adult ESL teachers, our pedagogy is to teach real-world tasks in the whole-part-whole method.  While this is not wrong, what do we do with students who are not grasping the basics of literacy?  This workshop explores using the elements of literacy as outlined by the International Dyslexia Association to assist students with limited literacy or those struggling with an undiagnosed learning disability.  How do we target word-level skills so all students can progress?  This workshop will answer these questions and demonstrate classroom activities that can assist in the mastery of word-level decoding and encoding skills.

Leveraging Student Strengths:  
A focus on Self-Determination Theory and its effect on student motivation

Ryan and Deci’s Self-Determination Theory revolutionized the way I approach my teaching, parenting, and interactions with others.  This workshop focuses on how to leverage the strengths of students to increase autonomous motivation and lead them into optimal wellness and performance.  This workshop examines the three innate psychological needs of students and the social contexts that satisfy or inhibit their growth and in turn, the flourishing of students.