Purpose: 

Over the summer of 2008, a state task force came together to begin building a framework for ongoing, systemic professional development for ESL instructors. This work is being made possible through support from the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAELA). On July 23-24,  two representatives from the CAELA Network spent time helping the Montana team determine how to begin our professional development plan for ESL instruction.

Margaret Bowles, Montana Adult Education Director

It was determined that the most effective way to begin our work is to have all program directors, ESL instructors and any other instructional staff that teach ESL students complete a survey.  The surveys are posted below:

• Administrator Survey

• Instructor Needs Assessment

Participants:

Program	Participant
Bozeman	Byrdeen Warwood
Great Falls	Katya Arpon Marandino Irish
Missoula	Terry Kelley
OPI	Margaret Bowles

Resources:

Click here for list of resources.

Schedule: 

Activity	Date
Survey due date	August 29
Introduction to ESL Task Force	September 16 - 17 Helena

Updates: 

Month	Topic
November	ESL website for USA Learns
October	CAELA:  Reflective Practice in the Professional Development of Teachers of Adult English Language Learners CAELA:  Using Data to Plan Professional Development for Practitioners Working with Adult English Language Learners Halloween Activities CAELA
September	ESL website
August	Survey Clarification