Spring is here—and with it comes testing season. WIDA, NYSESLAT (check out this blog post about NYS moving from NYSESLAT to WIDA), and state tests bring a level of pressure that many of our students feel deeply. But this time of year doesn’t just h…

By the time March arrives, many ESL teachers are either wrapping up annual language testing or preparing for the final stretch. After weeks of focused assessments and structured lessons, both teachers and students are ready for something a little di…

The Shift to WIDA in New York: What Changes in Real Classrooms? Starting in 2026–2027, New York will replace NYSESLAT/NYSITELL with the English Language Proficiency system developed by the WIDA Consortium. The final NYSESLAT will be given in spring …

ESL Chinese New Year Activities That Build Vocabulary, Literacy, and Cultural Connections Chinese New Year is a wonderful opportunity to connect classroom learning with students’ cultural backgrounds and experiences. Many multilingual learners eithe…

Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite times to build engagement in the ESL classroom. The theme naturally encourages communication, creativity, and connection — which makes it perfect for developing oral language, vocabulary, grammar, listening, and…