E37 - The Road to Reading for English Learners: Integrating the Science of Reading and English Language Development
How can the science of reading support students learning to read while acquiring English? Dr. Linda Cavazos and Dr. Claude Goldenberg join Literacy Across Languages to introduce their Road to Reading Framework, which builds on established reading models while making English language development and linguistic scaffolding explicit. Together, they explore why literacy instruction should begin alongside oral language development, how teachers can align instruction with students' language proficiency and existing literacy skills, and the importance of both explicit instruction and meaningful language use.
Dr. Linda Cavazos is the Founder and Executive Director of ELLAS Consulting (English Learner Leadership Advocacy Support). She specializes in improving outcomes for English Learners and culturally diverse students. A recognized expert in the Science of Reading and biliteracy, she focuses on literacy, MTSS, and special education. She holds a Ph.D. in Multicultural Education.
Dr. Claude Goldenberg has taught at the elementary, secondary, and university levels, including California State University, Long Beach, and Stanford University. His career has focused on literacy development and academic achievement among English Learners. After retiring from Stanford, he has continued sharing literacy research through articles, blogs, podcasts, and webinars.
- The Reading Rope doesn't fully account for English learners' needs. The Road to Reading Framework makes English language development and linguistic scaffolding explicit.
- Literacy and language instruction must happen together. English learners should receive foundational reading instruction while simultaneously developing oral English proficiency.
- Every teacher shares responsibility for language development. Instruction should build on students' linguistic strengths, respond to their proficiency levels, and provide meaningful opportunities for academic discourse.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Welcome to Literacy Across Languages!
(01:39) Meet Dr. Linda Cavazos & Dr. Claude Goldenberg
(07:51) English Language Development & Linguistic Scaffolding
(13:21) Supporting Literacy Across Grade Levels & Language Levels
(20:19) Using Language Proficiency Data to Inform Instruction
(25:01) Progress Monitoring Oral Language Development
(29:25) Integrating Oral Language Development Across Instructional Settings
(38:37) Explicit Literacy Instruction & Implicit Language Acquisition
(46:33) Moving the Road to Reading Framework into Practice
(48:15) Building on Multilingual Learners’ Strengths
(53:41) Until Next Time!
- Read Dr. Linda Cavazos and Dr. Claude Goldenberg's article, The Road to Reading for English Learners.
- Explore more literacy research and commentary on Dr. Claude Goldenberg's Substack.
- Visit Dr. Linda Cavazos's ELLAS Consulting website to explore her work and access the free English Learner Oral Narrative Scale (ELONS).
- Preorder Dr. Linda Cavazos and Dr. Alba Ortiz's forthcoming book, The Road to Reading for English Learners: Multilingual Learners and the Science of Reading.
Stay Connected!
Visit us at literacyacrosslanguages.com, follow us on Instagram, or connect with Mary and Katherine on LinkedIn.
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Science of Reading, Road to Reading Framework, English Learners, Multilingual Learners, English Language Development, Oral Language Development, Literacy Instruction, Language Acquisition, Reading Rope, Scarborough's Reading Rope, Linguistic Scaffolding, Language Comprehension, Word Recognition, Phonemic Awareness, Decoding, Reading Fluency, Orthographic Mapping, Vocabulary Development, Academic Discourse, Metalinguistic Awareness, Contrastive Analysis, Biliteracy, Bilingual Education, Language Proficiency Assessment, English Learner Assessment, MTSS, Culturally Responsive Teaching, Equitable Literacy Instruction