NJ Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages/
Welcome to NJTESOL/NJBE’s Annual Voices Journal. This publication is a representation of members’ thoughts on issues important to ESL, Bilingual, and Dual Language educators in New Jersey and the larger language teaching community. This annual journal has a scholarly approach which reveals the deep commitment our writers and readers have for their teaching practice and students. NJTESOL/NJBE hopes you enjoy our fourth issue of NJTESOL/NJBE’s Annual Voices Journal and its continuing companion, NJTESOL/NJBE’s Weekly Voices.
Annual Voices Journal is the official publication of NJTESOL/NJBE, issued annually each winter. Articles in the NJTESOL/NJBE Voices Journal include current issues, classroom explorations, program description/exemplary scheduling, and alternative perspectives as related to the teaching of English to speakers of other languages, Bilingual Education, and Dual language programs including students who are U.S.-born bilinguals, “generation 1.5”, immigrants, and international students. Articles may focus on any educational level, from kindergarten to university, as well as on adult school and workplace literacy settings.
What NJTESOL/NJBE Can Do For You!
Michelle Land
Our organization has evolved over the past 55 years and has an impressive amount of opportunities for our members to learn, collaborate, and celebrate.
Text Annotation in the 2020 WIDA Standards Framework – a Q & A
Margaret Churchill
Text annotation is featured prominently throughout the 2020 WIDA Standards Framework in all grade levels. The intent of this tool is to highlight the language features and functions within a text during teacher-facilitated close-reads. Teachers are encouraged to use the color-coded legend as they work with MLs in noticing prominent language features embedded within text genres. Practical applications are presented with text examples so that teachers can begin to implement this aspect of the Standards Framework.
AI – The Promise and the Peril: Managing AI in the Classroom
Marilyn Pongracz
AI is becoming increasingly pervasive in our lives and has challenged both teaching and learning. Meeting that challenge is an ongoing process of experimenting and sharing failures and successes.
Adult ESOL Education: Challenges, Opportunities, and Solutions
Dr. Melissa Hauber-Özer, Andrew Sansone, & Katie Edwards
Adult ESOL classes provide invaluable support for social and economic integration, yet there are pervasive and persistent challenges, including decreasing funding and a lack of evidence-based instructional resources and professional development for instructors. As leaders of the Adult Education Interest Section (AEIS) and Program Administration Interest Section (PAIS) of TESOL International, we conducted a global survey in 2023 on instructor and student demographics; instructional models, curricular approaches, and assessment; program funding, staff roles, responsibilities, and compensation; and the sentiments and needs of administrators and practitioners. In this article, we provide an overview of the final results and a summary of responses to open-ended questions regarding challenges in adult ESOL and the role of professional organizations like NJTESOL/NJBE.
Creative Solutions For Districts Who Struggle To Fill Vacancies In ESL and Bilingual Classes
Keith Perkins
The teaching field is experiencing an unprecedented staffing crisis. This crisis is especially pronounced in the areas of ESL, Bilingual, and World Languages. This article shares the story of one district that has developed and implemented a program that places prospective educators in positions where they receive on the job training and experience as they work towards their teaching certificate.