Workshops

Communicating Across Cultures in the Classroom

Presenter:Alisha Procter, Procter Consulting Agency, & Andrea Brooks, Andrea Brooks & Associates

In Houston, the most diverse city in the USA, educators and learners interact in an increasingly diverse learning environment. This workshop addresses Intercultural Communication in the classroom focusing on ways educators can enhance cross-cultural understanding and awareness in their classrooms and develop intercultural communication skills needed for today’s globalized world.

Training Classification: Principles of Adult Learning (PAL)

Computer Skills and Job Readiness 101

Jyothi Shankar, Mind Your Gaps, & Jennifer Peters, Texas State Library and Archives Commission

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission has developed a free digital literacy toolkit. Join us for an overview of the toolkit, as well as a review of quality online digital literacy resources. Attendees will receive a copy of the toolkit.

Training Classification: Literacy

Designing a Transitions Program for High-Level Students

Presenter: Colleen Mayer, Literacy Council of Fort Bend County

This workshop is designed to help Literacy Providers create and sustain a Transitions program for high-level ABE, GED, and ESL students. We will discuss both in-class and out-of-class activities to engage students in the process of applying the ABE experience to their larger goals.

Training Classification: Principles of Adult Learning (PAL)

Effective Practices for Teaching Reading

Presenters: Audrey Nelson, Space City Tutoring and Learning Center, & Amit Patel, i-Learners

This is an interactive session for both the ABE and ESL learner. Included will be an overview of strategies in reading comprehension, vocabulary, phonemic awareness, and fluency. In the session, we will also take a look at what research says about effective reading instruction and review online and other instructional resources.

Training Classification: Literacy

ESL Transition to TCHSE

Presenter: Alvin Le Blanc, III, Adult Reading Center

This workshop focuses on identifying, describing, and giving direction for positive transition instructions to ESL students. It will cover the four core subjects and their standards. Participants are introduced to the concept of tiered scaffolding and other classroom management methods. Finally, the workshop will cover group instruction and self-directed learning.

Training Classification: Principles of Adult Learning (PAL)

ETS HiSET: Expanding Opportunities. Changing Lives.

Presenter: Jonna McDonough, Educational Testing Service (ETS)

In 2014 ETS HiSET launched as a more accessible, more affordable option to the GED. HiSET is now available to Texas residents in pursuit of the Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency. Attendees will learn about the exam, and the services and support available to testers and their advocates.

Training Classification: At Program Discretion (APD)

First Steps: How to Begin an Academic Based Program

Presenters: Connie Anthony, Literacy Connexus/FBC Conroe, & Kathleen Yarborough, West University Baptist

A faith-based approach to starting a literacy ministry or program fro the ground floor. The steps are clear, explained and expanded through PowerPoint and handouts. This class discusses every aspect of preparing an academic setting within a ministry-set program. Helps, warnings are touch on with room to be creative as a group.

Training Classification: At Program Discretion (APD)

Helping Students to Succeed: Supplementing your Curriculum with Free Online Resources

Presenter: Ann Beeson, Adult Education Specialists; New Readers Press

Many programs use New Readers Press resources with their students. This presentation will review the supplemental free online resources to enhance the instructional experience for students as well as teachers.

Training Classification: Literacy

Independent Learners

Presenter: Pranjali Davidson Mardhekar, Literacy Advance of Houston, Houston Center for Literacy

This workshop will attempt to enable teachers help students become responsible for their own learning – to take control of their own learning by giving them agency. That is, encouraging them to make some choices about what happens in the classroom. It will include practical ideas and suggestions to help students learn to learn – equipping them with skills that they can use to enhance language uptake and prompting them to think about how they can apply what they learn in the classroom outside the classroom.

Training Classification: Principles of Adult Learning (PAL)

Introducing the Distance Learning Call Center for Mathematics

Presenters: John Stevenson, TWC, & Sunpreet Narang, StudentNest Foundation

The Distance Learning Call Center project was implemented to provide support at no cost for adult learners who are struggling with math. Students can phone or contact the call center anytime between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM to get immediate assistance from a live tutor with a math problem or concept they are working on. The project supports students who are following a path toward passing the TxCHSE, entering post-secondary training and trying to by-pass remedial education in college. The project also supports ESL students who need math instruction in addition to English.

Training Classification: At Program Discretion (APD)

Making Your Waiting Class Fun and Productive

Presenter: Terry Keane, Literacy Advance of Houston

This presentation will provide an overview of the “Waiting Class” concept at Literacy Advance. In instructive and interactive format, the presentation will address class composition, ice-breaker activities, most popular and pertinent subject matters. The presentation will also focus upon establishing rapport and trust with new and diverse groups of students in each class.

Training Classification: Principles of Adult Learning (PAL)

Technology and Tech Applications for the 21st Century AEL Classroom

Presenter: Jackie Aguilera, EastSide University

The Digital Divide can only be crossed by creative use of technology and technology applications. This workshop will explore options to integrate, motivate, and invigorate AEL instruction through the power of digital literacy.

Training Classification: Literacy

Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy and Learning: An Overview of Services

Presenter: AnneMarie Molinari, TRAIN PD @ TCALL, Texas A&M University

Join TRAIN PD and team members from TCALL, Texas A&M University, as they share an overview of the TRAIN PD website and the PD Portal, including demonstration of steps needed to create an account and register for training.

Training Classification: At Program Discretion (APD)

Word Attack Skills for Adult Learners: Phonics and Beyond

Presenter: Linda Patterson, Literacy Advance of Houston

Many adult literacy students have spelling and writing skills that lag far behind their reading ability. Learn how to dramatically improve your students’ spelling skills and encourage fluency in writing while also enhancing their reading development through a good grounding in phonics and common English spelling patterns.

Training Classification: Literacy

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