Multilingual Learner Project
Earn a New York State certification in TESOL.
About the Program
The Multilingual Learner Project (MLP) prepares teams of high school teachers to support the academic and socioemotional needs of Multilingual Learners (also known as English Language Learners), one of the country’s fastest growing groups of students. Designed by scholars and instructional specialists from The City College of New York and New Visions for Public Schools, the program aims to support the literacy development and academic achievement of Multilingual Learners across content areas.
The program is fully funded and provides teachers with a unique opportunity to earn a New York State certification in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), free of charge.
There are limited spaces available; teachers who are interested in this opportunity should form a team immediately and begin assembling their application materials. Click here to learn more about MLP’s benefits for schools and teachers.
Our Approach
Our rigorous coursework and team-based professional development is informed by three core program values and guided by the goal of providing meaningful support to thousands of multilingual learners across New York City.
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Building on linguistic & cultural assets
Multilingual learners (MLs) enter school with rich cultural histories and broad linguistic repertoires that support academic achievement. The program provides participants with knowledge and strategies not only to build on those resources, but also to engage the families of MLs and to address the socioemotional needs of MLs.
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Enacting explicit language & literacy strategies
The program focuses on the use of instructional routines and cognitive strategies across the content areas to support language and literacy growth in students. Teachers learn how to assess the language demands of curricular materials and tasks, modify curricula to meet the needs of MLs, teach cognitive strategies, and facilitate group learning routines.
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Collaborating, experimenting, & reflecting in teams
Learning in teams is a core element of the program design. Teachers apply to the program with a team of other teachers from their schools. These in-school teams develop goals together and foster strong working relationships to support MLs at their schools. Participants also have the opportunity to collaborate with teachers from other schools who teach the same subject area.
What are the benefits to teachers?
Additional certification – Teachers will have the opportunity to earn an additional and increasingly sought-after teaching certificate (TESOL).
Instructional support – Teachers will receive ongoing individual and team-based support from ELL specialists during the 2018-2019 school year.
Funding – Tuition and fees, estimated at $7,000 per teacher, will be fully funded. In the past, we have compensated teachers for time spent outside of normal school hours at a rate of $26.34/hour – the NYCDOE per-session training rate for teachers. We intend to continue this practice, funds permitting.
Salary – All participants who complete the program earn 13 graduate credits. DOE teachers can apply these credits toward salary differentials. Charter teachers who have a NYS teaching certificate and complete the program will be eligible for an annual stipend differential of $2,500.
Online Learning – Some coursework is offered online via web conferencing and an online learning platform, allowing teachers the flexibility of learning from the comfort of their home.
Program Timeline
The program begins with coursework in late January of 2018. Off-site professional development will take place during two days in late August 2018 and four days over the course of the 2018-19 school year. Teachers will also engage in regular professional development activities in their schools throughout the 2018-19 school year, including bi-weekly, in-school sessions, facilitated by ELL specialists.
Application
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Step 1
Teachers and principals spread the word across the school to determine interest among teachers. A team of three to six teachers forms and nominates a team leader.
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Step 2
Through the coordination of the team leader, each teacher submits application materials, including a statement of interest, transcripts, and evidence that their teaching certification is current. The team leader also includes a letter of support from the principal on behalf of the team.
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Step 3
CCNY and New Visions review applications and send admissions decisions, outlining next steps and informing teachers if they will need to complete any prerequisites for NYSED certification.
Eligibility
The program is open to district (“Affinity”) and charter schools in the New Visions network. We encourage applications from schools with a large ELL population. School teams are admitted based on the strength of the school’s application (as evidenced by the principal’s and team members’ statements), the size of the team (priority will be given to larger teams), and the prevalence of ELLs at the school. Teachers admitted to the program must commit to continue their employment at their current school for at least 12 months upon completion of the MLP.
This program is designed for grades 9-12 teachers (e.g., science, social studies, ELA, mathematics, special education, etc.). Teachers who already hold certification in TESOL or are currently enrolled in a Master’s degree or advanced certificate program are not eligible.
Teacher participants must have:
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An Initial or Professional New York State Certification
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Principal’s endorsement
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A demonstrated history of collaboration and an interest in working closely with other teachers within and across schools
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Experience studying or speaking a Language Other than English; NYS TESOL certification requires 12 credits study of a Language Other Than English (LOTE), or equivalent proficiency. For admission to the program, priority will be given to teachers with at least 6 of these credits (or who can demonstrate language proficiency). The program does not cover the cost of required LOTE credits.
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Strong academic record preferred