Professional Development for Teachers of English Learners: The Internationals’ Approach

Internationals' theory of change holds that newcomers have a higher chance at success in language-rich, interdisciplinary, collaborative, and experiential environments. Research backs this holistic approach: students at Internationals Network for Public Schools (INPS) schools have been found to have higher graduation rates and higher college enrollment rates than ELs enrolled in schools that are not in the Internationals Network. INPS schools also regularly score high in measures of school culture and climate.

To prepare teachers to deliver this model, INPS provides immersive professional learning opportunities that help teachers experience the five core principles firsthand. Internationals believes that teachers cannot faithfully deliver on a model they have not experienced themselves. Fittingly, the workshops offered are not traditional sit-and-get sessions, but rather, hands-on learning activities that mirror what teachers should integrate into their own classrooms.