SCAFFOLDING LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR ELLs

Design practical scaffolds that build comprehension, participation, and independence for multilingual learners.

Quick facts

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Format

Facilitated cohort plus self-paced modules

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Time

25 hours total

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Certificate

Yes

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Price

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Agency by Design:

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Agency by Design:

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Agency by Design:

Why this VLC

When language is a barrier, access to rigorous content depends on design. Grounded in IDE Corp.’s 7 Essential Elements for ELL Support, this VLC translates research into classroom routines: clear scaffolds, structured talk and writing, and differentiated resources that let multilingual learners engage, practice, and grow—without lowering expectations. You’ll leave with a scaffolded lesson you can use immediately.

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Agency by Design:

replace tasks with authentic problems and give learners real decisions to make.

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Structures First:

time, resources, choice, and feedback systems that transfer responsibility to the learner.

Who it is for

Teachers and instructional coaches supporting ELLs/newcomers/emergent bilinguals

Structures First:

School and district leaders aligning ELL supports with core instruction

Executive Function for All:

Interventionists and co-teachers building consistent scaffolds across classrooms

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Evidence of Learning:

use student work to guide the next move, not just to record a grade.

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Human and Tech Together:

tools serve the design, not the other way around.

Professional Learning That Puts Learners in Charge

Great teaching is design. Our Professional Learning Experiences help teams create learner-active environments where people own the work, build executive function, and solve authentic problems.

What you will gain

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Replace tasks with purpose-driven problems

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Build structures for choice, time, and resources learners can manage

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Coach executive function skills that drive results

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Use evidence of learning to adjust in real time

What you will be able to do

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Apply the 7 Essential Elements for ELL Support  to daily instruction

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Identify language proficiency levels and plan both content  and language  objectives

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Design comprehensible input  with visuals, models, sentence frames, and word banks

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Structure academic discussion  and scaffolded writing for participation and precision

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Build differentiated resources  that promote independent practice and engagement

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Use formative checks to adapt scaffolds  and increase learner autonomy over time

Syllabus snapshot

  • FOUNDATIONS OF ELL SUPPORT

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    Takeaway: Explore IDE Corp.’s 7 Essential Elements, proficiency levels, and the role of scaffolding in content and language development.

  • DESIGNING FOR ACCESS

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    Takeaway: Create instructional activities and resources that make input comprehensible without diluting rigor.

  • TALK TO LEARN

    Group of six people outdoors, conversing, holding papers and tablets near a tree and building.

    Takeaway: Design discussion prompts and structures for academic conversation; embed language supports that foster precision and participation.

  • WRITE TO LEARN

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    Takeaway: Build scaffolded writing tasks (frames, models, progression of supports) aligned to content and language goals.

  • DIFFERENTIATION FOR INDEPENDENCE

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    Takeaway: Provide tiered resources and routines that promote independent learning and sustained engagement.

  • ASSESS AND ADJUST

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    Takeaway: Use quick formative checks to adapt scaffolds; finalize a scaffolded lesson plan for immediate classroom use.

Course materials and access

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Included access: MyQPortal  access is included for all participants while enrolled in the VLC.

Required texts/materials: No additional text is required beyond course resources.

Evidence and impact

Differentiated resources and frames made rigorous tasks doable—participation and confidence rose across the board.
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Our ELLs moved from single-word responses to structured academic talk within weeks.
Differentiated resources and frames made rigorous tasks doable—participation and confidence rose across the board.
Our ELLs moved from single-word responses to structured academic talk within weeks.
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Related Resources

Six colorful book covers by Nancy Sulla about classroom instruction and student taking charge

Dr. Nancy Sulla Books

Unlock Educational Success with Dr. Sulla’s Books

Enter the Library
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MyQPortal

The Pathway to Student-Driven Learning!

Open MyQPortal

FAQs

  • HOW MUCH TIME WILL I NEED

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    Plan for 25 hours total including self-paced work and scheduled sessions.

  • CAN OUR TEAM ENROLL TOGETHER

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    Yes. Seat bundles are available. Price:

    VLC PRICE LINE

  • DO I GET A CERTIFICATE

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    Yes. You will receive a certificate noting contact hours and outcomes.

  • WILL THIS ALIGN TO OUR CURRICULUM AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

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    Yes. You will design scaffolds tied to your content units and your district’s language goals or standards.

  • DO I NEED SPECIAL MATERIALS

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    No. Core materials are provided in the course; you may incorporate your existing texts and units.

Ready to Scaffold for Access and Independence

PO accepted. Seat bundles available.