Sunday, March 15, 2009

Effective ELD Instruction: Project GLAD

Project GLAD (Guided Language Acquisition Design) is an effective instructional model for teaching English Language Development (ELD). The Project GLAD model is based on the extensive research-base of second language acquisition, brain research, and effective literacy practices for English learners. GLAD is a standards-based ELD instructional model that promotes high levels of academic language and academic achievement for students at all levels of English proficiency.

The Project GLAD training is an intensive seven-day training. The first two days consist of an overview of the instructional model, including the research base and the backwards planning process of creating a Science or Social Studies ELD literacy unit. During the two day training, teachers also learn about the components of the Project GLAD ELD model as well as multiple effective strategies within each component. Project GLAD is organized into four components:
  • Focus and Motivation
  • Input
  • Guided Oral Practice
  • Reading/Writing
The focus and motivation component of the GLAD ELD instructional model consists primary of strategies designed to build background knowledge, motivate students, activate prior knowledge, and enhance academic language. The input component consists of various comprehensible input strategies that enable teachers to provide core content instruction to students at all proficiency levels in a comprehensible and understandable way. The guided oral practice component provides multiple comprehensible output strategies designed to promote the development of academic language. The reading and writing component highlights effective reading and writing strategies that can be taught whole group through teacher modeling, small group cooperative team opportunities, small group teacher instruction, and independent activities. 

After the two-day training, the GLAD model consists of an additional five days of demonstration lessons. Participants are able to observe one of the Project GLAD presenters teaching a GLAD unit to a class of English learners, while another Project GLAD presenter is coaching participants. Teachers view the classroom demonstration each morning, and the afternoon sessions are designed for debriefing, reflecting on the morning classroom demonstration, and planning of a Project GLAD unit.

Project GLAD is one of the most powerful and academically challenging ELD instructional models out there. It provides intensive professional development to teachers of English learners, and one of the best things about the training is that teachers will be able to see the strategies being taught in action! When teachers are able to see the strategies being demonstrated with students, it makes all the more sense to them.

We'll be blogging more about Project GLAD in upcoming posts. For those of you who have been Project GLAD trained or who have had exposure to the instructional model, what are some of your experiences? If you have any questions about the Project GLAD model or about this blog in general, please feel to comment or email us your questions because we would like to make this blog as interactive and useful to teachers as possible.

Thanks for visiting us!!!
eld, english language development, systematic eld, english learners, eld strategies, eld activities, eld standards, eld lessons, eld lesson plans, project glad, glad strategies, siop 

5 comments:

  1. Where can I be trained for GLAD???? I am currently a teacher in Oakland CA

    ReplyDelete
  2. You might want to check with your local county office of education because they typically provide trainings through the county office. I would call their English learner department and inquire as to whether they have a training scheduled. They might also be able to point you towards a local training in a nearby district.

    The training is such a powerful training, and it is best to have other people at your site attend the training together so that teachers will be able to collaboratively plan and the same strategies can be used throughout the grade levels.

    At some point we also may be collaborating with some districts in Northern California to provide the GLAD training.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Guided Language Acquisition Design

    GLAD is a model of professional development in the area of language acquisition and literacy. The strategies and model promote English language acquisition, academic achievement, and cross-cultural skills. GLAD was developed and field tested for nine years in the Fountain Valley School District and is based on years of experience with integrated approaches for teaching language. Tied to standards, the model trains teachers to provide access to core curriculum using local district guidelines and curriculum.
    GLAD training results in teachers’ renewed commitment to high expectations and high standards for all students. The results for students have been continued gains in standardized test scores as well as renewed involvement in a classroom that is, not only student-centered, but fosters a sense of identity and voice.

    ReplyDelete
  4. GLAD is a United States Department of Education and School English trainers in California.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tomorrow is my final day of GLAD training, what a great experience it has been! I really feel like I am walking away with numerous additional "tools for my teaching tool belt."

    The challenge for me as a special education teacher is finding ways to make the strategies work within the limited time I see students who come to receive specially designed instruction, usually in reading, writing, and math. But you can believe me, I've been working hard on it all week long and I'm excited to return back to my classroom!

    ReplyDelete