Alberta Association of
Immigrant Serving Agencies

The ESL classroom environment is growing increasing complex. Many newcomers to Canada are struggling to adapt to their new language and culture while at the same time dealing with a variety of barriers to learning that can have a profound impact  on their ability to experience academic success. Teachers who are able to recognize, understand, and respond to those barriers will be better positioned to create inclusive classroom spaces and design effective programming that will meet the needs of these complex learners.

This course, offered over 6 modules, will explore some of the main barriers faced by clients with complex learning needs. Participants will become familiar with key concepts, terminology, and strategies, presented through a culturally responsive lens, that will help them to plan instruction in order to mitigate these barriers. By learning how to differentiate instruction and apply the principles of good task design with multi-barriered learners in mind, teachers will help students with complex needs experience a more equitable and inclusive learning environment.

Course duration: 5 weeks
Credit hours: 15