Spring 2024 Webinar Series

The Webinar Series has now concluded. Information about the webinars, and links to recorded events, can be found below. Contact pd@watesol.org with any additional questions.

Previous Webinars

Saturday, March 16, 10:00-11:00 AM: Legislative Update on Adult Education

Presenter: Moira Lenehan-Razzuri, Senior Policy Advisor, U.S. Senator Jack Reed

Session type: Policy-Oriented Presentation

Session description: This session will focus on adult education issues currently under debate in the 118th Congress, including funding, research, and the reauthorization of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, which is Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

Saturday, April 6th, 9:00-10:30 AM: Giving ELLs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Fields English Language Support

Presenter: Kirsten Stauffer

Session Type: Workshop

Session description: ELLs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields need to develop communication and language skills. Through workshop discussions and interactive activities, participants examine perceptions, identify student needs, sample online lessons, and share resources. Participants will leave with innovative ideas and a digital workbook to add to their toolbox.

YouTube Link for Session Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0gJ7GcHco8

Saturday, April 13th, 9:00-10:30 AM: Enjoying Picture Books that are Ideal for Developing Beginner-level English for Children and Adults

Presenter: Ana Lado

Session Type: Workshop

Session description: Experience books for text-based English instruction that flow with different teaching strategies, such as Total Physical Response, Readers Theater, and Cloze. These orally accessible books help beginner English learners be successful. Their text, graphics, and formats match specific teaching strategies and strategy-based instructional conversation. Online resources are provided.

YouTube link for Session Recording: https://youtu.be/9oPaag5a-RI 

Saturday, April 20th, 11:00 AM - Noon: Share Your Knowledge and Experience with the Community: Write for The Definite Article!

Presenter: Kathleen F. Kearney and Marina Dewees

Session Type: Workshop

Session description: Have you considered sharing your classroom experiences and reflections with a larger audience? Do you have a teaching hack which will help other educators?  Would you like to publish that grad school paper or professional proposal? How about beginning or expanding the publication list on your CV?  Take the first step with a webinar about contributing to WATESOL’s The Definite Article. Our biannual publication is a friendly forum to share experiences and ideas with community practitioners, administrators, leaders, and future leaders. 

YouTube Link for Session Recording: https://youtu.be/4s7i3q_ENqU 

Saturday, April 27th at 9:00-10:00 AM: Student and faculty paths to leveraging GenAI: Insights from research

Presenters: Ilka Kostka & Rachel Toncelli

Session type: Research-Oriented Presentation

Session description:This webinar describes two research projects on Generative AI conducted in English language pathways programs over the past academic year. Through reflection on project findings and interactive activities, attendees will develop an understanding of student and faculty needs regarding critical AI literacy skills and gain strategies for exploration and professional learning.

Saturday, May 11, 11:00 AM - Noon: Spice up your class: English and other engaging  low-prep warm-up activities

Presenter: Nataliia Cherevko

Session Type: Workshop

Session description: This session is designed to introduce participants to engaging low-prep warm-up activities, which they will practice, being put in the shoes of ESL students. Come experience something new and challenging! This is an interactive session, so be prepared to be engaged and share your experience of using warm-up activities. We will discover ways to motivate students to speak more during the class, as well as how they can be engaged in contributing to the activities conducted in class. After the session the participants will be able to use 5 low-prep warm-up activities to kickstart their English classes with adults, as well as will get ready-to-use pitches for Speeds English with ESL students (A2-C1 levels). 

Recording coming soon!