January 2008 Calendar Archive

January 2008

January 3, 2008: Content Standards Training will be held from 9 am to 12 noon at Austin Community College-Highland Business Center, 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Room 301.0, Austin 78752. Facilitated by Sandi Schneider and Mary Helen Martinez. This training will provide an overview of the Texas Adult Education Standards Project (TAESP) and how to integrate standards into lesson plans. Participants will be given an implementation guide that includes benchmarks for ABE/ASE and ESL Learners. Central registration form. For information about content contact Mary Helen Martinez mm42@txstate.edu and for information about logistics Mario Mokarzel mm64@txstate.edu or 1-877-798-5522.

January 3, 2008: Content Standards Training will be held from 6-9 pm at Austin Community College-Highland Business Center, 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Room 301.0, Austin 78752. Sandi Schneider and Mary Helen Martinez will facilitate. This training will provide an overview of the Texas Adult Education Standards Project (TAESP) and how to integrate standards into lesson plans. Participants will be given an implementation guide that includes benchmarks for ABE/ASE and ESL Learners. Central registration form. For information about content contact Mary Helen Martinez mm42@txstate.edu and for information about logistics Mario Mokarzel mm64@txstate.edu.  Both can be reached at 1-877-798-5522. 

January 3, 2008: Professional Development Planning Workshop (PDPW) (session 1 of 2 - session 2 will be announced at a later date) will be held from 1:00 pm – 4:00 p.m. at Austin Community College, Highland Business Center (HBC),  Room #301.0,  5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin  78752.  Mary Helen Martinez will facilitate.  This is the initial training for teachers interested in obtaining an Adult Education Credential. This workshop is sponsored by the Central Region GREAT Center. For information on directions or other logistics, you may contact Mario Mokarzel mm64@txstate.edu or toll free 1-877-798-5522. Registration is closed.

January 4, 2008:  BEST Plus Administrator Training will be held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at Austin Community College in Austin, Texas, Highland Business Center, 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Room #411, Austin  78752.   Participants will receive BEST Plus Test Administrator certification.  Yolanda DeLaCruz will facilitate.  For information on directions or other logistics, you may contact Mario Mokarzel mm64@txstate.edu or toll free 1-877-798-5522. Participation is limited to 25 for this workshop, first come first serve, so please register to attend. Central registration form.

January 4, 2008: Math Workshop will be held from 9-12 noon at Austin Community College, Highland Business Center (HBC), Room #301.0, 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin 78752. Kathy Dowdy will facilitate. This Math Workshop will provide ABE/GED teachers with the research findings that identify thematic areas where GED examinees are having the most difficulty. The focus of this workshop will be on Geometry & Interpreting graphs and tables. Teachers will learn how to adapt their instructional practices in order to help students perform better on the GED Mathematics Test. Central registration form. For information please contact Mario Mokarzel mm64@txstate.edu or 1-877-798-5522.

January 4, 2008: Math Workshop will be held from 6-9 PM at Austin Community College, Highland Business Center (HBC), Room #301.0, 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin 78752. Kathy Dowdy will facilitate. This Math Workshop will provide ABE/GED teachers with the research findings that identify thematic areas where GED examinees are having the most difficulty. The focus of this workshop will be on Geometry & Interpreting graphs and tables. Teachers will learn how to adapt their instructional practices in order to help students perform better on the GED Mathematics Test. Central registration form. For information please contact Mario Mokarzel mm64@txstate.edu or 1-877-798-5522.

January 4, 2008: Basics of Writing Workshop will be held from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Austin Community College in Austin, Highland Business Center, 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin 78752, Room #301.0. This Writing Workshop is appropriate for both ESL and GED teachers. Jo Bennett will facilitate. For information on directions or other logistics, you may contact Mario Mokarzel mm64@txstate.eduu or toll free 1-877-798-5522. Central registration form.

January 5, 2008:  BEST Plus Administrator Training w ill be held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at Navarro College, 3200 W. 7th Street, Corsicana, Gooch One Stop Student Center, Room 112. The room is located in the Gaston One-Stop Student Center (Old Gooch Library). This is the building that is located between the courtyard and the Clock Tower. Participants will receive BEST Plus Test Administrator certification.  Yolanda DeLaCruz will facilitate.  For information on directions or other logistics, you may contact Mario Mokarzel mm64@txstate.edu or toll free 1-877-798-5522. Participation is limited to 25 for this workshop, first come first serve, so please register to attend. Central registration form.

January 5, 2008: Reading Inventories for the Adult Reader will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun St. Student Center, Houston 77004. Presenter is Mandy Seybold.  This course is designed for instructors of Adult Basic Education. The participants will learn how to administer diagnostic reading inventories, fluency screenings, reading profiles, sight word identification, and comprehension checks. The course goal is to allow the instructors the opportunity to administer each of the assessments, and understand their results. The participants will learn the purpose of the assessment results, and how they can use them to design instruction to fit their learners’ individual needs. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA 6800149, registration number 67439, and section number CY392. You must register to attend Coastal Registration form.

January 5, 2008: Building an Adult Reader will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun St. Student Center, Houston 77004. Presenter is Stacy Shultz.  This course will target those instructors of reading for Adult Basic Education. Throughout the training participants will learn the six foundations of reading. (i.e. phonemic awareness, phonological awareness, decoding skill, fluency, vocabulary development, comprehension, and motivation). The participants will learn the meanings of the foundations and ways to implement their new found knowledge with activities for adult learners.  Each foundation will be explored and authentic activities will be provided. Participants will leave with a knowledge of the foundations of reading and how to apply them in their direct reading instruction. The six foundations are critical when building a successful adult reader. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA 6800150, registration number 67435, and section number CY391. You must register to attend Coastal Registration form.

January 5, 2008: Brining Our Whole Selves to the Workplace will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun St. Student Center, Houston 77004. Presenter is Lauri Cherian. The training is designed to help individuals identify and manage stressors in their lives. They will engage in a variety of activities that will promote better physical, mental and emotional well being to promote a safe and positive work environment. You must register to attend Coastal Registration form.

January 5, 2008: Enhancing Cross Cultural Communication will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun St. Student Center, Houston 77004. Presenter is Karen Couey. The purpose of this training is to introduce participants to the key concepts of cross-cultural communication so they can more effectively interact with program participants from different cultural backgrounds.  Instructors, testing administrators and program administrators who deal with a diverse student base will benefit from this training.  Participants will increase awareness of the differences in communication styles, explore cultural assumptions, and identify how to deal with cultural misunderstandings.  Simulations and group discussions will illustrate the key concepts. You must register to attend Coastal Registration form.

January 5, 2008: GED Social Studies will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun St. Student Center, Houston 77004. Presenter is Margaret Flint. This interactive PD session will provide teachers with activities and resources to enhance GED social studies instruction. The use of active learning techniques will be emphasized and practiced. The importance of language skills for all life-skills will be emphasized. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA 6800096, registration number 67443, and section number CY 394. You must register to attend Coastal Registration form.

January 5, 2008: GED Language Arts will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun St. Student Center, Houston 77004. Presenter is Wendell Webster. This interactive PD session will provide teachers with activities and resources to enhance GED language arts instruction. The use of active learning techniques will be emphasized and practiced. The importance of language skills for all life-skills will be emphasized. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA 6800096, registration number 67446, and section number CY 395. You must register to attend Coastal Registration form.

January 5, 2008: GED Science will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun St. Student Center, Houston 77004. Presenter is Doris Larry. This interactive PD session will provide teachers with activities and resources to enhance GED math and science instruction. The use of active learning techniques will be emphasized and practiced. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA 6800097, registration number 67442, and section number CY 393. You must register to attend Coastal Registration form.

January 5, 2008: True Colors will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun St. Student Center, Houston 77004. Presenter is Mary Mendoza. You must register to attend Coastal Registration form.

January 5, 2008: True Colors will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun St. Student Center, Houston 77004. Presenter is Glenda Smith. You must register to attend Coastal Registration form.

January 5, 2008: ABE/GED Multi-Level Workshop will be held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at Navarro College, 3200 W. 7th Street, Corsicana, Gaston One-Stop Student Center (Old Gooch Library).  Room number to be determined.  This is the building that is located between the courtyard and the Clock Tower.  This workshop will provide ABE/GED teachers with practical instructional strategies including portfolio development, retention of ABE/GED students and classroom management.  Carol Speigel will facilitate.  For information on directions or other logistics, you may contact Mario Mokarzel mm64@txstate.edu or toll free 1-877-798-5522. Participation is limited to 25 for this workshop, first come first serve, so please register to attend Central registration form.

January 5, 2008: Multi-Level ESL will be held at Denton ISD/Denton Four County Co-op, 1307 N. Locust, Denton from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Adult Basic Education instructors often find themselves facing large classes full of students with many different language levels and backgrounds. This workshop will focus on turning these challenges into opportunities for learning. Participants will look at methods of establishing goals for a large, diverse group. Participants will consider strategies for working with multi-level classes with an emphasis on adapting activities to meet a variety of needs. Participants will examine ways to manage large classes without sacrificing a learner-centered, interactive approach to language teaching. Finally, participants will explore ways of setting boundaries so to best balance student needs with instructor time. The workshop will be conducted in an experiential learning environment to mirror effective methods teachers can use in the classroom. For more information contact Dorris Baker (972) 749-2506 or Steve Johnson (940) 369-0091.

January 5, 2008: Student Retention/Strategies to Improve Language and Reading will be held at Denton ISD/Denton Four County Co-op, 1307 N. Locust, Denton 76201. Participants will be introduced to strategies that promote retention in adult ABE/ASE classrooms. The second half of the session will be devoted to using TABE results to address skill areas needed for student gains and/or level completions. For more information contact Dorris Baker (972) 749-2506 or Steve Johnson (940) 369-0091.

January 7-8, 2008:  Reading in a Language Not Your Own: Research-based Strategies for ESL Reading will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Cy-Fair College, Fairbanks Center 14955 Northwest Freeway Room 112, Houston 77040. Presenter is Heide Wrigley. This course is designed for experienced teachers who are committed to sharing their expertise with others. This workshop will focus on research to practice in teaching reading to second language readers with a special focus on comprehension strategies for intermediate level learners. The on-site class will include a demonstration lesson, research-based instructional strategies and hands-on activities accompanied by lesson plans. The workshop will include a discussion of  principles of second language acquisition applied to ESL reading. Participants will explore the types of learning experiences that are most likely to promote reading proficiency and will make connections between the ideas presented in the workshop and their own practice. Registration is limited to 25 participants. There is $45.00 registration fee which must be sent with the registration form or paid by check or cash at the Institute.   Coastal Registration form.For more information, please contact Tina Washco at (281) 290-5259 or tina.washco@nhmccd.edu NOTE: A Master Teacher Project will follow this workshop for interested teachers.

January 7, 2008: Higher Order Thinking Skills workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the Adult Learning Center, 1625 Price Road, Brownsville, 78521.The instructor is Irene Ramos. South Registration Form.

January 7, 2008: Higher Order Thinking Skills workshop will be held from 5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. at the Adult Learning Center, 1625 Price Road, Brownsville, 78521.The instructor is Irene Ramos. South Registration Form.

January 8, 2008: Higher Order Thinking Skills workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the Adult Learning Center, 1625 Price Road, Brownsville, 78521.The instructor is Irene Ramos. South Registration Form.

January 9, 2008: Texas Content Standards Refresher Training will be held from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at Baker Center Cafeteria, 3908 Avenue B, Austin, TX  78751.  Mary Helen Martinez will facilitate.  This training will provide a review of the Texas Adult Education Content Standards.   Participants will review and critique lesson plans based on the Content Standards.  

January 10, 2008: Classroom Organization and Management Workshop will be held from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at Baker Center Cafeteria, 3908 Avenue B, Austin, TX  78751.  Shirley Ledet will facilitate.   This training will focus on developing innovative classroom management techniques by creating a positive learning environment. 

January 10, 2008: Content Standards Follow-Up will be held from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Hanson Sewell Center in Pittsburg, Texas. For more information, please contact Jim Ratliff at (936) 435-8330 or jratliff@esc6.net

January 10 2008: ESOL Academy: Techniques for Teaching Adult ESOLL, Session 2 Makeup will be held from 2PM to 5PM and repeated from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Terrazas Branch Public Library Meeting Room, Austin, 76702.  Linda Muñoz will facilitate.

January 11, 2008: ESOL Academy: II will be held from 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. to be held at Twin Oaks Branch Public Library Meeting Room, Austin, 78704.   Heide Spruck Wrigley will facilitate.  This second of three 3 hour face-to-face sessions will include demonstration lessons and hands-on activities that can be used directly in the adult ESL classroom. Strategy-based lessons designed around peer to peer and small group interaction will be used to increase students’ oral communication and reading comprehension skills. Participants will work with a mentor teacher between face-to-face sessions with the facilitator. (Session is Closed).

January 11, 2008: BEST Plus Training will be held from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm at Education Service Center, Region VI located at 3332 Montgomery Road in Huntsville. For more information, please contact Jim Ratliff at (936) 435-8330 or jratliff@esc6.net

January 11, 2008: Webcast on Specific Instructional Strategies for Fluency and Vocabulary will take place from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Central Time as Part 2 of the National Institute for Literacy’s series, “From Assessment to Practice: Research-Based Approaches to Teaching Reading to Adults”.  For more information or to register, visit the National Institute for Literacy’s event website.

January 11-12, 2008: Infant Mental Health Advocacy Conference in Irving will feature Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., acclaimed pediatrician and author. Conference is a collaborative effort of Children's Medical Center Dallas, Region 10 Education Service Center, Mental Health America of Texas Head Start State Collaboration Office and Texas AEYC. For more information or to register, visit the Texas Association for Infant Mental Health website.

January 12, 2008: ESOL Academy: Techniques for Teaching Adult ESOL will be held from 9 AM to 4 PM at Austin Community College-Highland Business Center, 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Room 301.0, Austin. This twenty-four (24) hour course, held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on four Saturdays - and led by Dr. Heide Wrigley - is for ESOL teachers who want to “beef up” their everyday teaching skills and for newer teachers of Adult ESOL. You will learn about and practice developing new strategies, activities, and lessons that will support your students’ learning. This workshop will let you increase your repertoire of skills and make it easier to make informed decisions about what to teach and why. After participation in the Academy and engagement with the ideas presented, you will know why some activities and approaches are more effective than others in fostering second language acquisition and promoting deeper learning. Session III of IV. Last session will be held March 29, 2008. Must register to attend. Central registration form. For information please contact Mario Mokarzel mm64@txstate.edu or 1-877-798-5522.

January 12, 2008: ESOL Academy: II will be held from 9:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. to be held at Austin Community College in Austin, Highland Business Center, Room 406, 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin 78752.   Linda Muñoz will facilitate.  This second of three 3 hour face-to-face sessions will include demonstration lessons and hands-on activities that can be used directly in the adult ESL classroom. Strategy-based lessons designed around peer to peer and small group interaction will be used to increase students’ oral communication and reading comprehension skills. Participants will work with a mentor teacher between face-to-face sessions with the facilitator. (Session is Closed).

January 12, 2008: TABE 9 & 10 will be held from 9:00 a.m. to Noon, at Harris County Department of Education, Irvington Learning Center, 626 Lindale, Houston 77022. Presenter is Bill Medina. This training will provide the CTB/McGraw-Hill certification requirements on the best practices of administering, scoring, and interpreting the TABE 9/10. Each participant will receive a copy of the official TABE 9/10 training workbook. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA 6800036, registration number 65847, and section number CY 388. Session is closed.

January 12, 2008: Texas Adult Education Content Standards Training will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Harris County Department of Education, Irvington Learning Center, 626 Lindale, Houston 77022. Presenter is: Melanie Mayeaux. This training course is for anyone interested in learning more about the Texas Adult Education Content Standards and Benchmarks (TAESB). The main objectives of the training are to familiarize the audience with the TAESB and to develop lesson plans using the standards and benchmarks. Audience members do not need to have previous knowledge of the TAESB, however, they do need to familiar with adult education programs and practices in Texas. Target audience members would include full-time and part-time adult education teachers (ABE, GED, ESL), and adult education program administrators. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA 6800139, registration number 65846, and section number CY 387. Session is closed.

January 12, 2008: BEST Plus Training for Non-Testers will be held from 9:00 a.m. to Noon, at Harris County Department of Education, Irvington Learning Center, 626 Lindale, Houston 77022. Presenter is Judy Bowman. This training is intended for teachers, administrators and other adult education staff involved with but not actually administering BEST Plus. The training will explore objectives, content areas and question types of the BEST Plus oral interview. Participants will experience scoring and appropriate test administration procedures. Test taking techniques will also be discussed. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA 6800129, registration number 65850, and section number CY 390. Session is closed.

January 12, 2008: BEST Plus Refresher will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Harris County Department of Education, Irvington Learning Center, 626 Lindale, Houston 77022. Presenter is Judy Bowman. This training is designed for additional practice before the BEST Plus Toolkit Calibration training or as corrective training for remediation following unsuccessful completion of the BEST Plus Toolkit training. CAL certified test administrators will review objectives, content areas and question types of the BEST Plus oral interview, review the scoring rubric, review appropriate test administration procedures, and practice scoring the test. NOTE: Participants are required to have a TAG manual. No one will be allowed to attend the session without a TAG manual. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA 6800110, registration number 65849, and section number CY 389. Session is closed.

January 12, 2008:  Using Multimedia to Practice ESL will be held from 9:00 a.m. to Noon at College of the Mainland, 1200 Amburn Rd. Texas City 77591. The presenter is Pam Lowe. This training course is designed to train teachers to use multimedia in the classroom. Teachers will model the use of music, radio, TV, videos, movies, and newspapers in creative classroom activities then will assign homework activities to their ESL students to practice English through multimedia available to them in their own homes. The students will increase their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills using multimedia in the classroom and at home. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA 6800115, registration number 65663, and section number CY 386. Session is closed.

January 12, 2008: How to Engage the ESL Student will be held from 9:00 a.m. to Noon at College of the Mainland, 1200 Amburn Rd. Texas City 77591. The presenter is Jeff Mohamed. The workshop will examine why it is important for ESL learners to be engaged in lessons, and what teachers can do to maximize their students’ motivation. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA 6800119, registration number 65660, and section number CY 385. Session is closed.

January 12, 2008: Texas Adult Education Content Standards Training will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at North Harris College, 2700 W.W. Thorne, Houston  77073. Presenter is Christine Spin. This training course is for anyone interested in learning more about the Texas Adult Education Content Standards and Benchmarks (TAESB). The main objectives of the training are to familiarize the audience with the TAESB and to develop lesson plans using the standards and benchmarks. Audience members do not need to have previous knowledge of the TAESB, however, they do need to familiar with adult education programs and practices in Texas. Target audience members would include full-time and part-time adult education teachers (ABE, GED, ESL), and adult education program administrators. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA 6800139, registration number 65649, and section number CY 382. Session is closed.

January 12, 2008: Enhancing Cross Cultural Communication will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1130 a.m., at North Harris College, 2700 W.W. Thorne, Houston 77073. Presenter is Karen Couey. The purpose of this training is to introduce participants to the key concepts of cross-cultural communication so they can more effectively interact with program participants from different cultural backgrounds.  Instructors, testing administrators and program administrators who deal with a diverse student base will benefit from this training.  Participants will increase awareness of the differences in communication styles, explore cultural assumptions, and identify how to deal with cultural misunderstandings.  Simulations and group discussions will illustrate the key concepts. Session is closed.

January 12, 2008: Effective Multilevel Strategies for ABE/GED will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at North Harris College, 2700 W.W. Thorne, Houston 77073. Presenter is Wendell Webster. This interactive training focuses on appropriate lesson planning strategies, group strategies, and effective multi-level activities.  It includes theory and strategies to use in teaching all subject of the GED to a multi-level class.  Classroom management techniques, test preparation, orientation procedures, multi-sensory lesson planning, and proficiency objectives of the Texas Content standards will be presented. Session is closed.

January 12, 2008: Brining Our Whole Selves to the Workplace will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at North Harris College, 2700 W.W. Thorne, Houston 77073. Presenter is Lauri Cherian. The training is designed to help individuals identify and manage stressors in their lives. They will engage in a variety of activities that will promote better physical, mental and emotional well being to promote a safe and positive work environment. Session is closed.

January 12, 2008: Building Student Retention  will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at North Harris College, 2700 W.W. Thorne, Houston 77073. Presenter is Doris Larry. This Professional Development training will focus on critical exit points for students and ways to improve retention. Teachers will develop activities for student retention through demonstrations, role-play, and hands-on activities. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA 6800088, registration number 65654, and section number CY 384. Session is closed.

January 12, 2008: Multi-Level ESL Professional Development Training will be held from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at Hanson Sewell Center located at 237 College Street in Pittsburg, Texas. For more information, please contact Jim Ratliff at (936) 435-8330 or jratliff@esc6.net

January 12, 2008: Distance Learning Orientation will be held at Region 9 ESC, 301 Loop 11, Wichita Falls Participants will be provided with a overview of Distance Learning 101: Teaching Adult Learners at a Distance. They will be provided guidance in how to access and use the course Web site-Community Zero. For more information, contact Dorris Baker (972) 749-2506 or Kim Sizemore (940) 322-6928.

January 12, 2008: TABE Administration (2 sessions-8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) will be held at 1066 W. Magnolia, Ft Worth, TX. From 8:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Participants will learn how to administer the TABE for placement and progress in the ABE/ASE program. TABE updates will be incorporated. For more information contact Dorris Baker (972) 749-2506 or Aida Martinez (817) 852-1000 x 246.

January 12, 2008: BEST Plus Training will be held from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm at Angelina College, Technology & Workforce Building, Room 140 located at 3500 South First Street (Hwy 59 South) in Lufkin. For more information, please contact Jim Ratliff at (936) 435-8330 or jratliff@esc6.net

January 12, 2008: BEST Plus Training will be held from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm  at Education Service Center Region 20, San Antonio. Registration is available through iLearning. If you encounter difficulties registering on line, please contact Central Registration by e-mail registration@esc20.net or by calling (210) 370-5671 or 370-5247.

January 14, 2008:  Integrating Technology into Adult ESL - TESOL Electronic Village Online 2008 will be offered from January 14, 2008 through February 24, 2008.  This virtual, 6-week series is a comprehensive introduction to integrating technology into the Adult ESL classroom. Please read the course description and syllabus at:  http://www.tei.education.txstate.edu/integrate_tech.  To guarantee space, send your registration by January 1, 2008 via email to mm64@txstate.edu or via fax to or 512-245-8151.  Contact Denise Guckert (facilitator) at dg21@txstate.edu for questions about content.  Both can be reached at 1-877-798-5522.  Central registration form.

January 14–February 24, 2008: TESOL Electronic Village Online 2008. In this professional development project and virtual extension of the TESOL 2008 Convention in New York, NY, participants and ESOL experts can engage in six weeks of collaborative, online discussion or hands-on virtual workshops of professional and scholarly benefit. These sessions will bring together participants for a longer period of time than is permitted by the four-day convention and will allow a fuller development of ideas than is otherwise possible. Sessions may be on any topic in ESL/EFL and are free and open to all interested parties. For more information, visit the Electronic Village Online web page.

January 16- Feb 20, 2008: Distance Learning 101: Planning and Designing a Program for Adult Learners. Prerequisite: Distance Learning Orientation. This online course is designed for adult educators interested in preparing to offer distance education classes. It is intended for teachers and administrators who are already skilled at delivering classroom-based adult education. The course provides participants a collection of reading and activities on student recruitment, orientation, teaching and assessment. Upon completion of the modules, each team will complete a distance education plan for feedback. For more information contact Dorris Baker (972) 749-2506 or Marilyn Calhoun (972) 749-2638.

January 17, 2008: ESL Instruction  for the Adult Learner Who Learns Differently will be held from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Tyler Junior College West Campus located at 1530 SSW Loop 323, Room 120 in Tyler. For more information, please contact Jim Ratliff at (936) 435-8330 or jratliff@esc6.net

January 18, 2008:  Portfolio Training will be held from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (6 hr training with one hr. for lunch) at Howard College-San Angelo, 1100 Martin Luther King, San Angelo.  Trainer is Rita McSorley.  The training is open to the entire West region.  Please contact Gordon Peterson for further information (325) 481-8324 or gpeterson@howardcollege.edu. You must register to attend. West Registration Form.

January 18, 2008: Texas Adult Education Credential PDPW, Session 1: This workshop is the first step in initiating the Texas Adult Education Credential processs and is required to be eligible for the Credential. The session will be held on Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This is the first of two sessions (second session February 8). Participation in both sessions is required for credit of completion of the full workshop. The training location is yet to be determined and will be announced a week prior to the training dates to all those registered. This PDPW is the last opportunity offered this year for those interested in beginning the credential process; so register soon!! Please email farwestg@farwestgreat.org if you have any questions or call (915) 937-1725. Register Online now!

January 19, 2008:  New Teacher Academy V - Session 3: This Academy is targeted to new teachers in the Adult Education field.  The facilitator will provide resources to lesson plans, classroom activities, and brainstorming sessions that will assist the attendees in exploring new methods to address classroom needs.  A mentoring component is included in the Academy that will connect an experienced teacher with a novice.  This session will be held on Saturday from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm at the El Paso Community College - Valle Verde Campus. The room number will be forwarded to all registrants prior to the training date.  This is the third of four workshops (remaining session March 8).  Please email farwestg@farwestgreat.org if you have any questions or call (915) 937-1725.

January 19, 2008: Training of Trainers in Multi-level ESL Instruction will be held from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. at the Kyle Learning Center, 21393 North IH-35, Kyle, TX 78640. Linda Muñoz will facilitate. This training will provide training for ESL trainers in using the CAELA Multi-level ESL Instruction Module. A CAELA training guide with CD and supporting materials will be provided.

January 25, 2008:  Windows File Management is offered from 9 am – 1 pm at the Kyle Learning Center, Saddle Creek Apartments, Kyle 78640. This session is designed to help users become more comfortable navigating, creating, organizing, viewing, and finding folders and files in the Windows® XP operating system. Space is limited to 15, so please register early! Send registrations via email to Mario Mokarzel mm64@txstate.edu or fax to512-245-8151. Contact Denise Guckert (facilitator) at dg21@txstate.edu for questions about content. Central registration form.

January 25, 2008: BEST Plus Administrator Training will be held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at McLennan Community College, Community Service Building, Wing E, Room #234, 1400 College Drive, Waco 76708. Participants will receive BEST Plus Test Administrator certification. Carol Speigl will facilitate. For information on directions or other logistics, you may contact Mario Mokarzel mm64@txstate.edu or toll free 1-877-798-5522. Participation is limited to 25 for this workshop. First come first serve, so please register to attend: Central registration form.

January 25, 2008: TEAMS Training will be held from 8:30 a.m.-3: 30 p.m at the Pharr Workforce Development Center, 1100 E. Highway 83, Pharr, TX 78577. The instructor is Terri Schiemenz. South Registration Form.

January 25-26, 2008: EL Civics Academy II: Living in the US – From Civics to Citizenship, Session 1. This Academy shows teachers how to use PowerPoint ® lessons to teach basic content related to U. S. culture, American democratic values, as well as U. S. History and Government. Presenters will demonstrate how visual information can be used to illustrate events, ideas, key vocabulary, and teach basic conversation skills. While the course includes ideas for preparing students for the citizenship test, the ideas presented will be applicable for both civics classes and other content-based instruction. This session will be held on Friday from 4:30 pm -7:30 pm and on Saturday from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm at the Socorro Community Learning Center on 313 S. Rio Vista Rd., El Paso. This is the first of three workshops (remaining sessions February 22-23 and April 11-12). Participation in all three sessions and a follow up activity is required in order to qualify for the available stipend. Follow up activity is scheduled for Friday, May 9, 2008. Limited to 15 participants. Please email farwestg@farwestgreat.org if you have any questions or call (915) 937-1725. Register Online now!

January 26, 2008: Content Standards will be held from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm at the Education Service Center, Region VI located at 3332 Montgomery Road in Huntsville. For more information, please contact Jim Ratliff at (936) 435-8330 or jratliff@esc6.net

January 26, 2008: BEST Plus Refresher will be held from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and repeated from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at the Education Service Center, Region VI located at 3332 Montgomery Road in Huntsville. For more information, please contact Jim Ratliff at (936) 435-8330 or jratliff@esc6.net

January 26, 2008: Multi-Level ESL Training will be held from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and repeated from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at the Education Service Center, Region VI located at 3332 Montgomery Road in Huntsville. For more information, please contact Jim Ratliff at (936) 435-8330 or jratliff@esc6.net

January 26, 2008: TABE 9 & 10 Training will be held from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and repeated from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Education Service Center, Region VI located at 3332 Montgomery Road in Huntsville. For more information, please contact Jim Ratliff at (936) 435-8330 or jratliff@esc6.net

January 26, 2008: Application of Basic Math Principles to Calculation Including Developing Algebraic Reasoning will be held from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and repeated from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Education Service Center, Region VI located at 3332 Montgomery Road in Huntsville. For more information, please contact Jim Ratliff at (936) 435-8330 or jratliff@esc6.net

January 26, 2008: Teaching Reading to Adults will be held from will be held from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and repeated from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Education Service Center, Region VI located at 3332 Montgomery Road in Huntsville. For more information, please contact Jim Ratliff at (936) 435-8330 or jratliff@esc6.net

January 26, 2008: Steps for Effective Writing for Adults will be held from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and repeated from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Education Service Center, Region VI located at 3332 Montgomery Road in Huntsville. For more information, please contact Jim Ratliff at (936) 435-8330 or jratliff@esc6.net

January 26, 2008: BEST Plus will be held at Lincoln High School. 2826 Hatcher St., Dallas, TX 75215 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Participants who successfully complete this certification process will be able to give both the computer adapted and print based version of this new oral proficiency test. This test was developed by the Center for Applied Linguistics. It is an individually administered face-to-face scripted oral interview designed to assess the English language Proficiency of adult English language learners. This test can be used for program placement, progress, program evaluation and diagnosis. BEST Plus scores can be converted to SPL descriptors that align with NRS Functioning Level Descriptors. For more information contact Dorris Baker (972) 749-2506 or Conchis Silva (972) 749-2622.

January 26, 2008: Cycle Your Way Through Reading In Three Easy Steps will be held at 8:30 AM at ESC-20 Conference Center, 1314 Hines Ave., San Antonio, TX 78208, (210) 370-5200, Anton Falcon/Jacklyn Martin. Registration is available through iLearning. If you encounter difficulties registering on line, please contact Central Registration by e-mail registration@esc20.net or by calling (210) 370-5671 or 370-5247.

January 26, 2008: Data Quality Management (SAISD Adult Education) will be held at Harris Middle School (Teacher Resource Room), 325 Pruitt Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78204, (210) 299-1102, Mark Sanchez. Registration is available through iLearning. If you encounter difficulties registering on line, please contact Central Registration by e-mail registration@esc20.net or by calling (210) 370-5671 or 370-5247.

January 26, 2008: Multi-Level ESL for Adult Education will be held at 8:30 AM, ESC-20 Conference Center, 1314 Hines Ave., San Antonio, TX 78208, (210) 370-5200, Rita McSorley. Registration is available through iLearning. If you encounter difficulties registering on line, please contact Central Registration by e-mail registration@esc20.net or by calling (210) 370-5671 or 370-5247.

January 26, 2008: Texas Adult Education Content Standards, 8:30 AM, ESC-20 Conference Center, 1314 Hines Ave., San Antonio, TX 78208, (210) 370-5200, Irene Ramos. Registration is available through iLearning. If you encounter difficulties registering on line, please contact Central Registration by e-mail registration@esc20.net or by calling (210) 370-5671 or 370-5247.

January 26, 2008: TEAMS for Teachers, ESC-20 Conference Center, 1314 Hines Ave., San Antonio, TX 78208, (210) 370-5200, Laura Antu. Registration is available through iLearning. If you encounter difficulties registering on line, please contact Central Registration by e-mail registration@esc20.net or by calling (210) 370-5671 or 370-5247.

January 26, 2008: BEST Plus Training will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Houston Community College, 3100 Main Street - Room BD 12, Houston 77002. Presenter:  Judy Bowman. The participants will study the rationale for the BEST Plus test and acquire sufficient mastery of the BEST Plus test to perform duties of a tester in administering, scoring, and interpreting the scores. NOTE: Participants are required to have a TAG manual. No one will be allowed to attend the session without a TAG manual. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA 6800043, registration number 69933, and section number CY399. Coastal Registration form. For more information, please contact Tina Washco at (281) 290-5259 or CoastalCF@nhmccd.edu

January 26, 2008: Multi-level Math. Region 9 ESC, 301 Loop 11, Wichita Falls 76308, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This training is designed to provide GED teachers with the tools, resources and strategies to teach math on a more successful level. The GED testing service (GEDTS) has conducted a series of data analyses that identify at least three areas of mathematic weakness for GED test participants. The training addresses these areas and provides strategies for correcting the problems. The model that is utilized also addresses the needs of various learning styles, including those who are visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. For more information contact Dorris Baker (972) 794.7399 or Kim Sizemore (940) 322-6928x384.

January 26, 2008: Student Retention. Region 9 ESC, 301 Loop 11, Wichita Falls 76308, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Adult students often drop out of their adult education instructional program before they have a chance to meet their goals. This workshop will provide participants with strategies that promote student retention in ABE classrooms. For more information contact Dorris Baker (972) 794.7399 or Kim Sizemore (940) 322-6928x384.

January 26, 2008: Multi-Level ESL. Region 9 ESC, 301 Loop 11, Wichita Falls 76308, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Participants will learn methods of establishing goals for a large, diverse group. They will consider strategies for working with multi-level classes with an emphasis on adapting activities to meet a variety of needs. Additionally, participants will examine ways to manage large classes without sacrificing a learner-centered, interactive approach to language teaching. For more information contact Dorris Baker (972) 794.7399 or Kim Sizemore (940) 322-6928x384.

January 28, 2008:  Effective Multilevel Strategies for ABE/GED will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Beaumont ISD, 1800 Pope, Beaumont 77705. Presenters are Margaret Flint and Doris Larry. This interactive training focuses on appropriate lesson planning strategies, group strategies, and effective multi-level activities.  It includes theory and strategies to use in teaching all subject of the GED to a multi-level class.  Classroom management techniques, test preparation, orientation procedures, multi-sensory lesson planning, and proficiency objectives of the Texas Content standards will be presented. Session is closed

January 30 - February 1, 2008: Special Learning Needs Training Series conducted by Neil Sturomski and Nancie Payne continues with this second of four 3-day (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily) training events. For more information on this series, contact Tracy Hendrix at Texas LEARNS or email Ken Appelt at TCALL.