ESL/CivicsLink is a flexible new online professional development system for adult education ESL teachers. Developed by adult educators for adult educators and tested in the field, this innovative web-based product is managed by KET and prepares teachers to do the following:

• teach English to speakers of other languages,
• enhance cross-cultural awareness, and
• integrate English literacy instruction and civics education.

The ESL/CivicsLink online professional development system...

• covers core issues in teaching ESL and civics.
• encourages active engagement through project-based learning.
• works for small group study with peer mentoring, and with both facilitated and non-facilitated models.
• provides customized portfolios in which teachers save journal entries, lesson plans, project work and resources.
• provides teachers with a collaboration tool via threaded discussions.
• includes relevant online and offline resources.

Go to the application page to find out about pricing for organizations and individuals.

FUNDING

Development of ESL/CivicsLink was funded by a two-year grant through the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education English Literacy and Civics Education Demonstration Projects.

ESL/CivicsLink was jointly developed by these organizations:

PBS Adult Learning Service
The National Center on Adult Literacy (NCAL) at the University of Pennsylvania
Jefferson County Public Schools Adult and Continuing Education, Louisville, Kentucky
KLRN-TV, San Antonio, Texas.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to everyone who helped make ESL/CivicsLink happen! Donna Moss, Fran Keenan, Galo Amores, Noreen Lopez and the LiteracyLink staff at PBS; Mary Russell, Ricardo Diaz, Christine Corrigan at NCAL and the programming team at baBelfield; Julester Bennett, Rosie Maum, Julie Scoskie and Vickie Cummings, and pilot teachers at JCPS, Cam Messina at KLRN, Kate Silc, and our wonderful advisory board.

Without these educators, we would not have been able to launch this site: Raiana Mearns, Sara Plantz, Michael Westover and all of the PA pilot participants; Sylvia Ramirez and pilot participants at MiraCosta Community College; Marguerite Lukes and teachers in NYC; and Nancy Dunlap and teachers at Northside School District in San Antonio.

We also extend a very special thanks to the teachers who allowed us to interview them so we could share their expertise with others: Aliza Becker, Gretchen Bitterlin, Sharon McKay, Karen Mullen and Heide Spruck Wrigley.

LICENSING

To find out how to license ESL/CivicsLink, please contact KET at 1-800-354-9067 or by e-mail at adulted@ket.org.