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NCEL News
Resources on Teaching Literacy to Multilingual Learners
October 2025
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Virtual NCEL Summit
8:00am - 2:30pm Pacific | 11:00am - 5:30pm Eastern
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NCEL is proud to host its first-ever Virtual Literacy Summit—a national gathering of educators, school leaders, researchers, and policymakers dedicated to advancing literacy for all students.
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NCEL has long championed literacy policies that uplift multilingual learners through research, public dialogue, and policy advocacy. This summit builds on that commitment, creating space for shared learning, cross-sector dialogue, and bold ideas to move literacy forward.
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Join us to explore the realities of literacy policy in classrooms today—and help shape a future where more than 5 million multilingual learners nationwide receive the support they deserve.
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Register now to reserve your spot and take advantage of early bird pricing: $100 through November 15 ($199 regular price).
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Webinar Recording Now Available
Dual Language Learner Literacy Development in Early Childhood Education and the Science of Reading
In this webinar sponsored by NCEL and the Center for Applied Linguistics, leading researchers and educators shared insights into the unique language and literacy development of young dual language learners, grounded in decades of research on bilingualism, biliteracy, and second language acquisition. The panel highlighted developmentally, culturally, and linguistically responsive strategies that foster language-rich environments and build strong foundations for literacy.
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Member News
NCEL members are constantly navigating policy and funding updates to keep our work for multilingual learners moving. Check out what we have been up to!
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Materials Matter!
Across the country, school systems use curricula to ground high-quality, grade-level instruction. The English Learner Success Forum (ELSF) continues to provide guidance and resources to help publishers understand and apply effective elements of responsive instruction for multilingual learners. See their “Effective Guidelines” for Spanish language arts and English language development.
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Rethinking Reading
The “Science of Reading” is trending—but are we seeing the full picture? Dr. Martha I. Martinez and Dr. Endia J. Lindo join the Leading Equity Podcast to push for a “Yes/And” approach that values language, culture, and comprehension. Watch their conversation here and read SEAL’s op-ed here.
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NCEL at Conferences
NCEL will be presenting at La Cosecha, November 11-15, 2025 in Albuquerque, and at NABE, February 11-13, 2025 in Chicago. Come check out our panel at both conferences!
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Centering Multilingual Learners in Literacy: Research, Practice, and Policy
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Attendees will gain insights into designing and implementing equitable literacy and biliteracy approaches across educational contexts and developmental stages
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- Shelly Spiegel-Coleman, Californians Together
- Laurie Olsen, Californians Together
- Kathy Escamilla, University of Colorado
- Dr. Sonia Soltero, DePaul University
- Martha Hernandez, Californians Together
- Socorro Herrera, Kansas State University
- Magaly Lavadenz, Center for Equity for English Learners, School of Education
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Publications from NCEL Members
Our members’ and partner organizations’ collective voices and work are shaping the field of literacy for multilingual learners in important ways. Take a look at some of their publications showcasing their expertise and contributions to the field.
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Literacy Instruction
The resources below highlight high-quality literacy instruction for multilingual learners, including comprehensive, responsive approaches that scaffold learning and value linguistic diversity.
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- Gottlieb, M. (2023). Right from the Start: Enriching Learning Experiences for Multilingual Learners through Multiliteracies. Washington, DC: Center for Applied Linguistics.
- Mosquera, A. (2024). Make a Plan for Oracy. Language Magazine.
- Urbanski, R., Swanlund, L., Tadelman, J., & Sánchez-López, C. (2025). Comprehensive Approach to Improving Early Reading with Young Multilingual Learners: One District’s Journey. Illinois Reading Council Journal, 53(3), 3–13.
“Science of Reading”
The resources below provide insight into the conversation about reading research and effective applications for multilingual learners.
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- Ascenzi-Moreno, L. (2024). Toward a Multilingual Perspective on Reading: Aligning Emergent Bilinguals Resources with Theories of Reading and Implications for Instruction. The Reading Teacher, 77(6), 918–26.
- de Jong, E., & Herrera, S. (2024). Asking the Right Question: Teaching Reading to Bilingual Learners. EL Gazette, Issue 488.
- Dual Language Education of New Mexico (DLeNM)’s Professional Development Team (2023). Addressing the Intersection of the Science of Reading and Biliteracy Development. Soleado.
- Hernandez, M., & Olsen, L. (2024). Embracing English Learners in a Science of Reading Era. EL Gazette, Issue 488.
- Herrera, S., & de Jong, E. (2023). English Literacy for Multilingual Learners: Voices from the Field. Language Magazine.
- Hurwitz, A. (2024, May 15). A Message from SEAL Executive Director: Why the “Science of Reading” Isn't Enough. [Blog post]. SEAL.
- Instruction Partners (2024). Five Questions about Reading Curricula that Can Help Multilingual Learners. [Blog post]
- Leider, C. M., & Proctor, C. P. (2024). Toward a Dynamic Idiolect: Multilingual Perspectives on the ‘Science of Reading’. Educational Psychologist, 59(4), 250–62.
- Mora, J. K., Flores, B., & Díaz, E. (2024, August 5). Response to "English Learners and the Science of Reading". The Grade, Phi Delta Kappan.
- Villegas, L. (2024, April 8). Q & A with Ester de Jong on the Bilingual and Biliteracy Dimensions of the Science of Reading. [Blog post]. New America.
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Key NCEL Resources
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The National Committee for Effective Literacy uplifts research, policies, and practices to ensure that English learners/emergent bilinguals leave school as proficient readers and writers in English — and preferably more languages — and who thrive and succeed in school and their communities.
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Copyright ©2025 National Committee for Effective Literacy, all rights reserved.
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