18th Annual English as a Second Language Symposium Examines "Multilingual Voices in Action"

The College of Education and Health Professions' Department of Curriculum and Instruction recently hosted the 18th annual English as a Second Language (ESL) Symposium on the U of A campus.

Educators, students and university faculty gathered for a day of in-person professional learning and collaboration for the first time since the symposium temporarily transitioned to an online format during the pandemic six years ago.

This year's event theme, "Multilingual Voices in Action: Language, Engagement and Critical Thinking," brought together attendees to examine how language influences learning in the classroom and to amplify students' voices. Organizers explained that the theme was intentionally broad to include diverse perspectives without concentrating on a specific instructional model, grade level or school context. 

College of Education and Health Professions Dean Kate Mamiseishvili kicked off the symposium with one of her favorite quotes from the Winnie the Pooh character Piglet: "The things that make me different are the things that make me, me." As a multilingual learner herself, Mamiseishvili shared how multilingualism has positively impacted her life and created new opportunities.

"I admire your dedication to supporting multilingual learners and empowering them to think critically and engage in learning more confidently," she said.

The keynote address was delivered by Mariana Castro, interim director of the Wisconsin Center for Educational Research and a leading contributor to the WIDA framework. Castro, who earned her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has trained teachers in multilingual education in numerous settings and countries.

Her lecture emphasized the importance of students sharing their thoughts about lessons to ensure understanding of the subject matter and to encourage more student discussions. Using Arkansas state ESL standards, Castro guided participants through activities and established a framework to support all learners, including multilingual students.  

Throughout her keynote address, participants had the opportunity to collaborate and practice asking questions to discover what students really understand, a skill Castro highlighted as especially important when engaging with multilingual learners. Event organizer Alissa Blair said this kind of collaboration within the ESOL educator community is a motivation for hosting the symposium each year. Blair is an assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and teaches courses in the master's degree program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

"There is a shared identity around being an ESOL teacher or working with multilingual learners, so there is a kind of celebration in environments like this," she said. "I hope participants feel supported and continue the work they are doing because we really are a community as multilingual educators."

In addition to the keynote, Al "Papa Rap" Lopez led a musical movement break. Participants sang, called the Hogs, danced and even learned portions of the Arkansas Fight Song in Spanish. A native of Puerto Rico and now based in Northwest Arkansas, Lopez uses his talents to connect people, inspire joy and reinforce the value of collective harmony. Lopez is a two-time John Lennon Songwriting Award winner and the co-founder of OneCommunity, a nonprofit dedicated to biliteracy and leadership development.

Seven attendees presented lightning presentations that highlighted their research and gave opportunities for ESL professionals to exchange ideas. Afternoon roundtable discussions encouraged conversations about eliciting and interpreting student thinking; multilingual voices, engagement and identity; collaboration and shared responsibility; and systems, policy and advocacy.  

The symposium concluded with a community resource panel of three Arkansas community leaders. Irvin Camacho, co-founder of AIRE and creator and co-host of the Dist. 3 Podcast, joined Khalid Ahmadzai, the senior director of partnership at Canopy NWA, and Eric Brown, the executive director of Seis Puentes, based in North Little Rock, for a discussion on the importance of engaging and supporting multilingual learners.

Blair said she is encouraged by the symposium's continued growth and the progress across Arkansas in multilingual education.

"As a state, we've evolved in the number of teachers who are thinking about their multilingual learners," Blair said. "It is encouraging that each year, more teachers have been through training and come to events like this as leaders in their districts and to be leaders in their districts."

The 2027 ESL Symposium will be held on Feb. 27.