Multilingual Learner Education

Enhancing Language and Literacy Skills for Multilingual Learners

The BELLA Professional Learning Program equips K-2 and ESL teachers with proven strategies to accelerate language and literacy development for multilingual learners. Through interactive learning modules, hands-on practice, and implementation coaching, teachers gain expertise in evidence-based instruction, adopt a strengths-based approach, and leverage co-planning to drive student success.

More About What We Do

Portrait of elementary school kids and teacher in corridor

Administrators’ and Teachers’ Perspectives on BELLA

Watch this video for a closer look at the BELLA Professional Learning Program. Hear directly from district leaders, ESL directors, teachers, and literacy experts as they share how BELLA has transformed instruction and supported student growth.

Key Elements of the BELLA Professional Learning Program

BELLA—Bridging English Language Learning and Academics—is a professional learning program that equips educators with practical strategies to support multilingual learners. Driven by three key components, BELLA focuses on implementing high-impact instructional strategies, leveraging students' strengths and assets, and fostering meaningful teacher collaboration and co-planning to enhance learning.

A group of children sitting in front of a woman.

Implementing High-Impact Instructional Strategies

BELLA equips teachers with evidence-based strategies to enhance multilingual learners’ language and literacy development. Its instructional approaches emphasize decoding, language comprehension, and vocabulary acquisition, ensuring every student has the tools to excel.

A group of children sitting in front of a poster.

Building on Students’ Strengths and Assets

BELLA centers its approach on four key principles that harness students’ strengths and assets in instruction. These strategies build stronger connections between students' home lives and school experiences, enriching the educational journey for both teachers and students.

Facilitating Teacher Collaboration

BELLA brings ESL and K-2 teachers together through a flexible co-planning framework that encourages sharing expertise and aligning instructional strategies. This collaborative approach strengthens support for multilingual learners' language and literacy skills.

BELLA Reviews

The [BELLA Program] has been an incredibly beneficial experience for my teachers. They continue to implement great strategies they have learned, which has shown to be very beneficial in the classroom.

Elementary school principal

I've been impressed by how excited they have been to attend the training sessions, meet with the team when they come to visit, and share the strategies with their colleagues. I've been very impressed by the overall quality and organization.

-R.S., Elementary school principal

The [BELLA Program] has changed me as a teacher in ways I never expected. To be able to evolve as a teacher and reflect on my practice with the kind, constructive feedback from the team, it has enabled my students, the first grade teachers, and me to grow and develop in the most positive ways. Practices I thought I was so good at have been perfected thanks to this program.

-J.R., ESL teacher

This program helped me better understand the way my EL students think and learn to help them better succeed in school. The team provides you with the resources, strategies, support, and guidance to help you thrive in your classroom setting. I am so thankful to have been part of this program as it not only helped my EL students, but all students in my class.

I have seen great success and growth, and I am excited to continue to use these strategies moving forward. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your program!

-E.L., First grade teacher

It has made me closer to the [other teachers]. I feel more supported by them. I feel like I’m working with a team now. I have felt connected and like I have a team. And we're all working together for these children and that felt really good.