Webinar Session: Technology Beyond the Hype: Supporting Multilingual Learners

SEAL's Executive Director Dr. Anya Hurwitz will participate in a virtual panel discussion with Bilingual Generation, English Learners Success Forum and Multilingual By Design during the final session of Campaign for Grade-Level Reading's Summer Institute.

Session

Technology Beyond the Hype: Supporting Multilingual Learners

Panelists: 

• Dr. Anya Hurwitz, Executive Director, SEAL
• Veronica Benavides, founder and CEO, Bilingual Generation
• Grace Delgado, Director of Texas Initiatives, English Learners Success Forum
• and others TBD.
• Moderator: Sandra Licon, Fund Director, Multilingual By Desig

About the Event

From the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), we know that English language learners (ELLs) represent 10.6% of the total K–12 population and 14.7% of kindergartners.

In some states and regions, this number is much larger. Research from Harvard and other institutions shows that “with proper intervention, children who speak English as a second language can learn to read English as well as or even better than their English-speaking peers.”

However, NAEP — “The Nation’s Report Card” — indicates that roughly 67% of ELLs score below the basic proficiency threshold in reading.

If designed properly, AI and technology tools can support teacher engagement with ELLs and improve student outcomes. According to Multilingual By Design, “beyond translation features and additional lessons, multilingual learners need scaffolded instruction that meets them where they are. AI and tech tools can empower teachers and transform multilingual literacy learning — if they’re rooted in real classroom challenges and experience.”

In this final session of our Summer Institute on Technology-Enhanced Teaching, Learning, and Development, we are excited to explore these issues with Multilingual Learner leaders who will help us understand how technology best supports teachers and enhances learning for ELLs in unique and powerful ways.