Educators and language professionals will gather to discuss issues surrounding children and families learning English at the 3rd Annual English Language Learners Symposium Thursday and Friday, June 9 and 10, at the Wilkinson Student Center at Brigham Young University.
This year’s symposium is themed “Family, School and Community Collaboration” and will highlight how the concept of community capitals and the development of family and school partnerships can enhance the academic success of English learners and their families.
Registration is $100 for a two-day non-credit ticket, $130 for a two-day one-credit ticket and $50 for a two-day ticket valid only for morning keynote sessions. Register before June 3 online at cedev.byu.edu/cw/ell/register, by phone at (801) 422-8925 or in person at 120 Harman Continuing Education Building. At-the-door registrations will be accepted on a space-available basis.
Thursday’s opening remarks will begin at 8:15 a.m., followed by keynote speakers Cornelia and Jan Flora, professor of agriculture and life sciences and professor of sociology at Iowa State University, respectively; and Mavis Sanders, professor of education at John Hopkins University. Following their remarks, the conference will assemble into breakout sessions until 3:30 p.m.
Friday’s events will also begin at 8:15 a.m. for opening remarks, after which attendees will hear from Pam Perlich, senior research economist in the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Utah; and David and Yvonne Freeman, professor of reading and ESL and professor of bilingual education at the University of Texas at Brownville, respectively. Focus groups and expert sessions will continue throughout the day. At 2 p.m. the conference will conclude with a panel discussion followed by a question-and-answer session.
Other professors and experts in language learning will be featured throughout the conference.
This symposium is sponsored by the David O. McKay School of Education, the BYU–Public School Partnership and the Center for the Improvement of Teacher Education and Schooling.
For more information, visit education.byu.edu/ellsymposium/2011 or contact Roxanna Johnson at (801) 422-1922 or roxanna_johnson@byu.edu. View the program website at cedev.byu.edu/cw/ell/index.cfm.
Writer: Mel Gardner
