Guided Language Acquisition Design Professional Development

The Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) Two-Way Dual Language Program is an Advanced Learning Experience aimed at promoting bilingualism and biliteracy. This program is designed to serve both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking students, with the goal of fostering academic excellence, sociocultural competence, and bilingualism and biliteracy. TUSD is seeking a vendor to provide professional development training for two-way dual language teachers focused on research-based instructional strategies that promote second language development for all second language learners using Guided Language Acquisition by Design instructional strategies in Spanish with the districts core curriculum. Professional development sessions must be delivered in Spanish. Key features and background information on the program include: Bilingual Education: The Two-Way Dual Language Program was established to provide students with a comprehensive program to promote second language learning through content. This approach aims to develop students' proficiency in both English and Spanish by integrating content and language instruction. Two-Way Immersion: The program typically involves two groups of students: those whose primary language is English and those whose primary language is Spanish. Both groups are educated together in a TWDL classroom setting, with the purpose of facilitating language acquisition and cultural exchange. Biliteracy Development: The program places a strong emphasis on the development of biliteracy, which means students become proficient readers and writers in both languages. This skill is valuable for personal, academic, and professional growth. Cultural Competency: In addition to language proficiency, the Two-Way Dual Language Program promotes cultural competency. Students learn about the culture and history associated with the language they are studying, fostering a deeper understanding of the world. Equity and Inclusion: The program is often seen as a means of promoting equity and inclusion. It offers opportunities for students from different linguistic backgrounds to learn together and bridges gaps in language and educational outcomes. Long-Term Benefits: Research indicates that students in dual language programs often outperform their peers in standardized tests and experience cognitive benefits due to their bilingualism. They are also better prepared for a globalized job market. Community Support: The program often enjoys strong support from parents, educators, and the community at large who recognize the value of bilingual education and its role in creating culturally aware and well-prepared graduates. This research based sequence of rigorous courses will be provided to TUSD's Two-Way Dual Language Program teachers throughout the program. TUSD has 12 Two-Way Dual Language programs with over 2500 students participating K-12.