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NYS Statewide Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network

Office of Bilingual Education & World Languages | Statewide RBERN | RBERN West Present:

September 2025

Dear Colleagues,

We are excited to announce a new opportunity for home language arts educators in bilingual education program classrooms. This Statewide Professional Learning Community (PLC) is designed to advance high-quality instruction in Home Language Arts (HLA) classrooms.

This PLC will serve as a collaborative space for educators to:

  • Distinguish the teacher’s role between home language and world language instruction
  • Share best practices and explore innovative approaches
  • Deepen understanding of NYSED’s Classroom Practices for Multilingual Learners and English Language Learners and the Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards
  • Strengthen instruction for multilingual learners through rigorous, culturally responsive, and linguistically sustaining teaching

Structure & Commitments:

  • Meets once a month (synchronous attendance required)
  • Includes asynchronous work between sessions to extend and apply learning via D2L platform
  • Focuses on both foundation (shared study) and application (classroom practice)
  • Participants can earn up to 20 CTLE credit hours

Availability & Application Process: 

  • To allow focused discussions and facilitate deeper learning,the PLC is limited to 20 seats statewide.
  • Applicants will be carefully selected to ensure a diverse and representative group.
  • Interested educators must complete the application survey by October 3, 2025.
  • Selected applicants will be notified of their participation status by October 10, 2025.
  • Please apply here

We look forward to your application!

With appreciation, 

Gloria Ortiz | gmo243@nyu.edu 
Claribel González | cgonzalez@e1b.org 
Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network

Statewide HLA PLC – Monthly Calendar (October 2025–May 2026)

October
(Asynchronous)
Topic: Launch & Vision
Focus: Purpose and structure of the PLC; setting goals; developing shared norms; using data and reflection
Activities: Collaborative goal-setting, needs assessment, introductions, and community norms

November
Topic: Distinctions in Teaching Methods in WL and HLA
Focus: Research on literacy development in home language vs. English; why it matters
Activities: Case studies, videos, discussions; compare instructional moves in both contexts

December
Topic: Creating Student Linguistic Profiles
Focus: Using data, classroom discourse, and student assets to inform and sustain home language literacy
Activities: Discuss higher-order thinking strategies; collect data (MLS, teacher-made materials)

January
Topic: The Importance of Oral Language Development
Focus: Supporting oral language development by building on students’ home language skills
Activities: Identify bridging strategies (e.g., cognates, parallel texts, metalinguistic awareness activities)

February
Topic: Metalinguistic Awareness
Focus: Designing lessons/units that intentionally highlight connections across languages
Activities: PLC members bring sample texts/lessons; rework with bridging strategies infused

March
Topic: Cross-Linguistic (Bridging)
Focus: Aligning practices between HLA and ELA; building instructional partnerships
Activities: Role-play/planning protocols; share success stories and challenges

April
Topic: Instructional Strategies in Action I
Focus: High-leverage practices aligned to state guidance; integrating reading, writing, listening, and speaking
Activities: Strategy swap — members share and model one favorite activity

May
Topic: Instructional Strategies in Action II & Closing
Focus: Balancing formal/informal assessment; capturing growth in bilingualism, literacy, and content
Activities: Examine sample rubrics/tools; co-create an adaptable framework; reflection & celebration