1. Successes and Challenges of Second Language Learners in Canada The challenge of integrating research and effective practice into educational policy and programming at the provincial and school division/district level The challenge of integrating research and effective practice into educational policy and programming at the provincial and school division/district level Reflections on EAL developments and direction in Manitoba Reflections on EAL developments and direction in Manitoba

2. Contexts and Perspectives My experience as a EAL/ESL learner My experience as a EAL/ESL learner Research and experience in leading an EAL Program Review and developing a multi-year action plan Research and experience in leading an EAL Program Review and developing a multi-year action plan

3. Emerging Themes The importance of first or prior language learning, literacy, and academic preparation for acquiring an additional language The importance of first or prior language learning, literacy, and academic preparation for acquiring an additional language The diversity of EAL learners and the impact of culture on additional language acquisition The diversity of EAL learners and the impact of culture on additional language acquisition The importance of appropriate EAL assessment approaches and resources The importance of appropriate EAL assessment approaches and resources Professional development and EAL/SL informed teaching Professional development and EAL/SL informed teaching Need for comprehensive provincial EAL policy, curriculum, and assessment frameworks Need for comprehensive provincial EAL policy, curriculum, and assessment frameworks

4. Kelleen Tooheys paper on reading comprehension and Amans experience Kelleen Tooheys paper on reading comprehension and Amans experience Armands and Dagenaiss discussion of Language Awareness in additional language acquisition in the BC French Immersion and and Quebec FSL classrooms Armands and Dagenaiss discussion of Language Awareness in additional language acquisition in the BC French Immersion and and Quebec FSL classrooms Danièle Moores discussion of childrens literacy and written code-switching practices in different social contexts Danièle Moores discussion of childrens literacy and written code-switching practices in different social contexts Tracey Derwings exploration of the different trajectories of Russian and Mandarin EAL learners Tracey Derwings exploration of the different trajectories of Russian and Mandarin EAL learners The importance of first or prior language learning, literacy, and academic preparation on acquiring an additional language

5. The diversity of EAL learners and the impact of culture on additional language acquisition Closely related to the first theme but merits separate attention Closely related to the first theme but merits separate attention Need to consider closely how cultural practices and experiences impact on second language acquisition - a significant challenge for many EAL teachers as they are often monolingual and not representative of the students they teach Need to consider closely how cultural practices and experiences impact on second language acquisition - a significant challenge for many EAL teachers as they are often monolingual and not representative of the students they teach Sociolinguistic and sociocultural aspects of language acquisition need to be integrated into EAL teaching approaches and methods Sociolinguistic and sociocultural aspects of language acquisition need to be integrated into EAL teaching approaches and methods

6. The importance of appropriate EAL informed assessment approaches and resources The lack of common and appropriate EAL assessment frameworks (benchmarks, proficiency standards, scales, continua etc) The lack of common and appropriate EAL assessment frameworks (benchmarks, proficiency standards, scales, continua etc) The injustice of using L1 assessment tools to assess EAL learners – such practices emphasize the deficits rather than the accelerated learning many students are actually undergoing The injustice of using L1 assessment tools to assess EAL learners – such practices emphasize the deficits rather than the accelerated learning many students are actually undergoing Need to develop common and appropriate curriculum and assessment frameworks and resources that recognize the stages of EAL development Need to develop common and appropriate curriculum and assessment frameworks and resources that recognize the stages of EAL development

7. Professional development and EAL/SL informed teaching The papers highlight the importance of second language acquisition theory and practice for teachers of additional language learners The papers highlight the importance of second language acquisition theory and practice for teachers of additional language learners Many if not most teachers of EAL learners (with some regional variations) have had limited EAL or second language education Many if not most teachers of EAL learners (with some regional variations) have had limited EAL or second language education There is a critical need to expand opportunities for EAL/second language education of teacher candidates and teachers in the field There is a critical need to expand opportunities for EAL/second language education of teacher candidates and teachers in the field

8. Need for comprehensive provincial EAL policy, curriculum, and assessment frameworks While there are significant differences between provinces and their policies, overall there is a need to enhance EAL programming and resources in the K-12 system While there are significant differences between provinces and their policies, overall there is a need to enhance EAL programming and resources in the K-12 system EAL program reviews and heightening awareness of the limitations and challenges being faced are providing opportunities for enhancing EAL policy and practice EAL program reviews and heightening awareness of the limitations and challenges being faced are providing opportunities for enhancing EAL policy and practice

9. Manitobas K-S4 EAL Program Review and 2005-08 Action Plan Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth announced a three-year plan to enhance access to and strengthen EAL programming in Kindergarten to Senior 4 schools. Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth announced a three-year plan to enhance access to and strengthen EAL programming in Kindergarten to Senior 4 schools. The action plan resulted from a program review that commenced in late 2001 The action plan resulted from a program review that commenced in late 2001 EAL policies and practices had not changed since the last review in 1986 EAL policies and practices had not changed since the last review in 1986 Many of the themes that are emerging around appropriate programming and supports emerged Many of the themes that are emerging around appropriate programming and supports emerged One of the key aspects of the results of the review was the need to develop an appropriate, research-based provincial EAL curriculum, programming, and assessment framework One of the key aspects of the results of the review was the need to develop an appropriate, research-based provincial EAL curriculum, programming, and assessment framework

10. Research on Adolescent and Young Adult Newcomers of War-Affected Backgrounds in and Manitoba Schools study, designed to obtain information on the numbers of refugee learners currently in our schools, to develop a better understanding of their experiences and the programming supports available, and to explore the possibilities for enhancing programming effectiveness. study, designed to obtain information on the numbers of refugee learners currently in our schools, to develop a better understanding of their experiences and the programming supports available, and to explore the possibilities for enhancing programming effectiveness. summary of data obtained through provincial immigration statistics, questionnaires, and site interviews. summary of data obtained through provincial immigration statistics, questionnaires, and site interviews. provides an impression of the strengths and challenges of current programming and supports available to adolescent and young adult students from refugee, war-affected, and disrupted schooling backgrounds. provides an impression of the strengths and challenges of current programming and supports available to adolescent and young adult students from refugee, war-affected, and disrupted schooling backgrounds. intended to guide the process of improving and supporting effective programming and establishing alternative approaches where required. intended to guide the process of improving and supporting effective programming and establishing alternative approaches where required.

11. High School ESL Students: Drop outs, fall outs or push outs? Beginners drop out at a rate of 95% Beginners drop out at a rate of 95% Intermediate drop out at a rate of 70% Intermediate drop out at a rate of 70% Advanced drop out at a rate of 50% Advanced drop out at a rate of 50% Though English language proficiency at entry to high school was a key factor in determing educational progress, other factors such as L1 education and L2 rate of acquisition also emerged from the profiles of successful ESL students Though English language proficiency at entry to high school was a key factor in determing educational progress, other factors such as L1 education and L2 rate of acquisition also emerged from the profiles of successful ESL students Fall outs- Often low L1 literacy, lack of formal education (sorry/sad) Fall outs- Often low L1 literacy, lack of formal education (sorry/sad) Drop outs-some success but frustration with or economic needs (frustrated) Drop outs-some success but frustration with or economic needs (frustrated) Push outs-some success but ran out of time and gave up (angry/resentful) Push outs-some success but ran out of time and gave up (angry/resentful) From: Educational Experiences of ESL Students: Unraveling the Role of English Language Proficiency by David L. E. Watt, Hefty Roessingh, and Lynn Boesetti, The University of Calgary

12. Need for Early Identification

14. Relationship between EAL Stages and General Language and Academic Learning

15. Developments in Manitoba: Highlights of the first year of a three year action plan Early identification of students and early intervention- provincial guidelines and resources EAL provincial curriculum and benchmarks/proficiency descriptors (including literacy stages) Increased funding and length of support for EAL learners & introduction of an Intensive Newcomer Support Grant to stimulate development of specialized divisional programs Senior Years ESL Courses-Literacy to Advanced EAL Encourage specialized programming for junior/senior high students by Clustering students to provide intensive, bridging or newcomer programs Dialogue with and encourage collaboration among/between school divisions, immigrant and refugee serving agencies and other partners Teacher education and professional development