Content focused on preschool English learners (ELs)
The Center: Early Childhood Professional Learning (ECPL) leverages its partnerships with local and national providers to bring you FREE high quality, relevant professional learning focused on preschool English learners (ELs) which include live webinars, self-paced, on demand courses and downloadable resources. ISBE and/or Gateways credit is available.
Videos
NEW! Multilingual Preschool Videos for Families
Early Childhood Professional Learning (ECPL) is delighted to share two new free on-demand videos for staff and families. Each video is available in English, Spanish, and Arabic. The first video explains the ISBE Home Language Survey (HLS) and how the information from that survey is used in early care and education centers (ECEC) in our state. ECEC staff are strongly encouraged to show these videos to family members as part of the preschool registration process. The second video explains that when children are encouraged to maintain their home language or learn a new language from an early age, it has lasting benefits that go beyond just speaking more than one language. The State of Illinois has a statewide goal to nurture bilingualism in all children, and our families' commitments to their home languages are an important part of that goal. Link to full playlist at: Multilingual Preschool Videos for Families
ISU Preschool Videos Featuring Bilingual Preschool Teacher, Eva Gonzalez Heredia
"The Gift" from Atlanta Speech School's Cox Campus
"The Power of Enrolling Your Child in a Pre-K Program with Bilingual Education Services" video
Live Webinars
4/9/25 - Creating Language Opportunities During Play-based Learning
Live Online Administrator Academy
FY26 Academies TBD
On Demand Learning from the WIDA Consortium
- New this year, Let's Play! Multilingual Children's Joyful Learning in PreK-3 explores the role of play for multilingual children and how it contributes to multilingual children's language development and learning.
- Resources for preschool age multilingual children are now available on WIDA’s Teaching in PreK-3 webpage.
- A new self-paced workshop, Exploring the WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions, introduces educators to the WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions. Educators now have an opportunity to build their knowledge and understanding of the Essential Actions and to reflect on their own ideologies, practices, and settings. Access to the course will require a WIDA Secure Portal account. Gateways and ISBE credit is available after completing the course. Contact assessment@isbe.net
for information about how to set up a WIDA Secure Portal account and access this and other WIDA self-paced offerings.
- Are We Ready? is now a set of resources, videos, guides and notetakers to support PreK–3 educators as they promote and provide equitable transitions for multilingual children and their families as they move through PreK-3. This resource is available now at https://wida.wisc.edu/
teach/early - no log in needed.
Recorded Webinars
To access recorded webinars on working with preschool English learners, please visit the Diverse Learners playlist on our YouTube Channel.
Downloadable Resources
Making Connections, is a comprehensive resource that offers suggestions, tools, and sample plans for teachers who use the Illinois Early Learning and Developmental Standards and WIDA Early Years resources to plan equitable learning opportunities to young multilingual children.
Multilingual Children and Their Families - Snapshot
Promoting Equity for Young Multilingual Children and Their Families
WIDA Early Years Guiding Principles of Language Development
WIDA Teaching in PreK-3 Resources
ABCs of Family Engagement
Frequently Asked Questions - Serving English Learners in Preschool Programs in Illinois Public School Districts (Revised March 2023)
Frequently Asked Questions - Communicating in Parents Native Language Requirements
Credential and Licensure Information
Gateways offers an ESL & Bilingual Credential as an add-on to the Gateways ECE Credential for early care and education professionals who have formal college education, training, and experience with multilingual/multicultural children and families, either in the form of supervised observation/experience or direct work experience.
ISBE offers the ESL and/or Bilingual endorsements to add onto a Professional Educator License. Information on licenses with Stipulations such as the ELS-TBE and Visiting International Teacher (VIT) can also be found on the ISBE site.