Training Institute for Literacy Instructors

The Literacy Coalition of Central Texas is currently offering training for instructors of Adult Basic Literacy and English as a Second Language.  These trainings are open to all Central Texas literacy instructors, whether they are volunteers new to literacy instruction or experienced teachers who would like a refresher.

Centralized trainings are held at the Literacy Coalition offices at 835 North Pleasant Valley Road, Austin, 78702. The Coalition will provide a customized, in-house training session for a partner organization if they have a minimum of 10 participants and are able to provide training space. If you would like to discuss the ESL or ABE instructor training, please call Jen Freeman at (512) 735-2536.

Training for Instructors of Adult Basic Education

In Central Texas, over 121,000 people over age 16 struggle with reading or can not read at all. To confront this alarming problem, the Literacy Coalition recently launched an ABE Training modeled after the success of its ESL Trainings. 

In 2009 and 2010, LCCT held an Adult Basic Literacy "Train the Trainer" series of trainings by experts in various aspects of teaching adult basic literacy. Topics included effective teaching strategies, learning differences, customizing curricula to meet student needs, numeracy, and more. LCCT combined the content of the training series with additional research to create the first edition of the Adult Basic Literacy Instructional Manual.

Adult Basic Education instructors work with learners who are below the 7th grade level in reading, writing, math, or basic skills. Often ABE students are trying to become proficient enough to enter an Adult Secondary Education (a.k.a. GED) program. ABE instructors generally work with learners individually or in small groups of 2-3, with a focus on helping the learner develop proficiency in specific skill areas. ABE training participants will receive an Adult Basic Literacy Instructional Manual, which includes a lesson-planning framework, research-based teaching strategies, and activities for the ABE classroom.

ABE Instructor Training Dates

Consecutive Saturdays, February 11 & 18, 2012

Consecutive Saturdays, May 11 & 18, 2012

Consecutive Saturdays, August 11 & 18, 2012

Consecutive Saturdays, November 10 & 17, 2012

Participants must attend 9:30am-4:30pm both days

Training for Instructors of English as a Second Language

In 2008, the LCCT launched ESL instructor trainings to meet the community's greatest need at the time. The demand for English as a Second Language classes has continued to grow throughout Central Texas, and so has the need for confident, prepared instructors.

The ESL Instructor training program consists of a two-day training session led by local trainers who participated in the LCCT’s ESL “Train-the-Trainer” Series led by Heide Spruck Wrigley, Senior Researcher of Literacyworks International. Her involvement with adult ESL research includes a five year U.S. study on “What Works for Adult ESL Literacy Students” and the U.S. National English Literacy Demonstration Program for Adults with Limited English Proficiency, a qualitative study focusing on promising practices in 7 successful programs.

Participants of the ESL instructor training program will receive a basic classroom toolkit, which will include an evidence-based ESL instructional manual. The manual will include activities, classroom resources, and teaching guides for instructors. The training will be rooted in research on second language acquisition, learning theory, studies in cognitive science and research on adult ESL literacy. Participants will learn practical ideas for teaching beginning level ESL learners along with challenge activities for more advanced learners. The training focuses on communicative language teaching with the goal of having students learn the kind of language necessary to negotiate daily life in an English speaking environment.

 ESL Instructor Training Dates

Consecutive Saturdays, January 7 & 14, 2012

Consecutive Saturdays,March 10 & 17, 2012

Consecutive Saturdays, June 9 & 16, 2012

Consecutive Saturdays, September 8 & 15, 2012

Consecutive Saturdays, December 8 & 15, 2012

Participants must attend 9:30am-4:30pm both days