Why Choose BELLA?

BELLA is an evidence-based professional learning program designed to boost early literacy for multilingual learners. Our rigorous research demonstrates that teachers who participate in BELLA enhance their instructional practices, resulting in significant language and literacy gains for their students.

In this study, students taught by BELLA-trained teachers achieved significantly higher growth on a standardized language and literacy assessment compared to those in the control group. Discover how BELLA can be a catalyst for academic excellence and meaningful change in your school or district.

 
Babinski, L., Amendum, S., Carrig, M., Knotek, S., & Sanchez, M. (2025). Teaching young multilingual learners: impacts of a professional learning programme on teachers’ practices and students’ language and literacy skills. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 1-20.
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Enhancing Instruction for Multilingual Learners Together

Almost all teachers work with multilingual learners, yet many haven't received the training they need to support these students effectively. That's where BELLA comes in—a yearlong, hands-on professional learning program that unites ESL and K-2 teachers. By co-planning, engaging with evidence-based instructional strategies, and working together as a team with your implementation coach, you'll gain practical strategies to boost early literacy and language skills in your classroom. Check out this article to see what BELLA principals and teachers had to say about the BELLA program.

 

Babinski, L. M., Amendum, S. J., Knotek, S. E., & Mann, J. C. (2024). Multilingual students benefit when grade-level and specialist teachers collaborate. The Learning Professional, 45(6), 46-49.
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Improved Literacy Instruction and Student Growth

Another rigorous study on the BELLA program demonstrated that teachers enhanced their use of high-impact instructional strategies. Additionally, students exhibited significant growth on subtests of the Woodcock Muñoz Language Survey, reflecting measurable improvements in language and literacy skills.

 

Babinski, L. M., Amendum, S. J., Knotek, S. E., Sánchez, M., & Malone, P. (2018). Improving young English learners’ language and literacy skills through teacher professional development: A randomized controlled trial. American Educational Research Journal, 55(1), 117-143.

Transforming ESL Teaching

In this study in three school districts, we found that the BELLA program helped ESL teachers boost their use of proven, evidence-based strategies and enhance their collaboration and co-planning with classroom teachers. See how you can algin instruction between grade-level and ESL teachers.

 
Babinski, L. M., Amendum, S. J., Carrig, M. M., Knotek, S. E., Mann, J. C., & Sánchez, M. (2024). Professional Learning for ESL Teachers: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Examine the Impact on Instruction, Collaboration, and Cultural Wealth. Education Sciences, 14(7), 690.
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