Bilingual and English Learner Education

Bilingual and English Learner Education

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Bilingual and English Learner Program

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction supports school districts in educating students who are English learners (EL). We believe in the assets Wisconsin's multilingual students bring to school and work with districts to honor those assets while preparing students for future education and the workplace.  See below for more information and links to web pages that support working with multilingual learners

Upcoming Events

Fall 2026 WIDA Workshops for Wisconsin Educators

DPI is pleased to be partnering with WIDA to offer three low- or no-cost professional development opportunities for Wisconsin educators who work with multilingual learners (MLs) this fall. Workshop information and registration links can be found below.

Hybrid Workshop: Teacher Leaders: Planning with the WIDA ELD Standards Framework

This hybrid workshop leads participants through the process of using WIDA's ELD standards to plan instruction at the unit level. Attendees will explore how to integrate content and language learning and how to support other educators in using the WIDA ELD standards. It consists of one hour-long virtual session and one day-long in-person session at DPI in Madison. More information about workshop content can be found in the Teacher Leaders: Planning with the WIDA ELD Stadards Framework workshop flier.

Hybrid Workshop Details:
  • Virtual session: October 8, 2026 from 3:30-4:30 pm
  • In-person session: October 23, 2026 from 8:00 am-3:30 pm
  • Access information for virtual session: WIDA Secure Portal
  • Location of in-person session: DPI Conference Room 121, Tommy G. Thompson Center, 201 W. Washington Ave., Madison, 53703
  • Cost: Free (lunch not provided)
  • Registration link
In-Person Workshop: Engaging Secondary Newcomers in Content-Area Literacy

In this one-day workshop, educators will explore key factors that influence literacy development in the content areas, focusing on how to engage students in content learning. Participants will learn strategies to analyze newcomers' literacy strengths and identify areas for growth. This workshop will take place at the CESA 10 Conference Center, but is open to educators from all regions of the state. More information about workshop content can be found in the Engaging Secondary Newcomers in Content-Area Literacy workshop flier.

In-Person Workshop Details
  • Date: October 21, 2026
  • Time: 8:30 am-3:30 pm
  • Location: CESA 10 Conference Center, 725 W. Park Ave., Chippewa Falls, WI, 54729
  • Cost: $25 (includes lunch)
  • Registration link 
  • Additional information: Attendees will need to create an account with CESA 10 in order to register (account creation link)
Virtual Workshop: Expanding Reading Instruction for Multilingual Learners

This workshop is designed for any educator interested in learning more about reading instruction for ML students. Across two facilitated 90-minute webinars, educators will learn about resources they can use to expand reading instruction to make it more inclusive and more effective for multilingual learners. More information about workshop content can be found in the Teacher Leaders: Planning with the Expanding Reading Instruction for Multilingual Learners workshop flier.

Virtual Workshop Details:
  • Dates: November 4 and November 18, 2026
  • Time: 3-4:30 pm
  • Access information: WIDA Secure Portal
  • Cost: Free
  • Registration link

Need to make the case to your principal to get permission to attend the workshop? Download WIDA's principal letter and submit it with your request. 

Unable to attend the facilitated workshop? Visit WIDA's Self-Paced Workshops webpage for information about independent workshops you can complete at a time and location that works for you!

Quick links to Additional DPI Webpages

Engage with Us 

BLBC listserv: To subscribe to the BLBC listserv, follow this link or email Tanya Morin at tanya.morin@dpi.wi.gov  
 
Title III listserv (one-way): To be added to the Title III listserv, please send an email to Amy Maciolek at amy.maciolek@dpi.wi.gov  
 
 
Tanya Morin