Micro-Credentials

Using Contextual Language in the Classroom

Transform your classroom practice through contextual language instruction.

About the Contextual Language Micro-Credential Series

In this self-paced series, discover research-based strategies designed to integrate language development seamlessly into content instruction. 

Traditional instructional approaches often isolate language learning from meaningful content. But research shows that students learn language best when it's connected to authentic purposes and real academic tasks. Our series will help you notice language learning opportunities in everyday classroom moments and plan intentionally to support your students' linguistic growth.

🎥 WATCH: Instructor Michelle Benegas Previews the Modules

What will I learn?

After completing modules in this series, you will be able to: 

  • Apply contextual language learning principles in any educational setting
  • Identify strategies for integrating language development with content area instruction
  • Use methods for supporting and valuing students' home languages
  • Use practical tools for creating linguistically responsive classrooms
  • Design assessment that honors multilingual learners' strengths 

Choose a single module to focus on a specific skill or build a stronger foundation by combining multiple modules into a learning pathway. 

Who should take this series?

This series is designed for English language educators, general content educators, and administrators looking to create linguistically responsive learning environments. You do not need to be a language instructor to benefit from this series—you just need a commitment to supporting multilingual learners of English!

Pricing

Member Type* Price Per Module
TESOL Member - Standard US$35
TESOL Member - Reduced US$25
Non-member US$45

Save when you purchase more! When you purchase three or more modules in this series at the same time, you'll automatically receive 10% off your entire purchase.

Not a member yet? Join TESOL today!

Read our Registration & Refund Policies

*The member rate is determined by the membership type. Early, Mid-, and Post-Career members in Tiers 1 and 2 pay the standard rate. Pre-Career members and members in Tiers 3 and 4 pay the reduced rate. TESOL's tiers are based on World Bank income groups.

Explore the 6 Contextual Language Micro-Credential Modules

Module 1 is about building the essential knowledge base for supporting multilingual learners through contextual language instruction. This foundational module explores the concepts, commitments, and pedagogical approaches that will guide your work with students and colleagues. 

What you’ll explore: 

  • How academic language develops and shapes learning 
  • The polarized commitments English language teachers navigate daily
  • Pedagogical implications for teaching the language of access
  • Ways to support colleagues in writing, integrating, and assessing language objectives  

After this module, you’ll be able to explain how academic language shapes learning and apply foundational principles to support multilingual learners across content areas. 

Enroll in Module 1: Foundations of Contextual Language

In Module 2, develop your "noticing superpowers" and learn to identify language learning opportunities in everyday classroom interactions.   

What you’ll explore:  

  • The noticing and forecasting framework for language instruction  
  • How to analyze student writing and speaking samples with intention  
  • Skills for spotting golden teaching moments in everyday classroom work
  • How to use classroom observations to inform your instructional planning  

After this module, you’ll be able to identify and respond to language learning opportunities in real time using structured observation and analysis. 

Enroll in Module 2: Noticing Areas for Contextual Language Instruction and Support

In Module 3, learn how to anticipate students’ language needs so you can plan instruction that supports both content learning and language development. 

What you’ll explore:  

  • The noticing and forecasting framework for proactive language planning
  • How to analyze assessment samples to forecast language needs
  • Strategies for anticipating students' language learning trajectories
  • How to use forecasting to inform intentional language instruction planning  

After this module, you’ll be able to use student data and instructional context to proactively plan for language demands in your lessons. 

Enroll in Module 3: Forecasting Areas for Contextual Language Instruction and Support

Module 4 is about unlocking the power of morphological awareness, phonology, and semantics to give students the tools they need to independently navigate academic language. This module explores the foundational building blocks that support confident, autonomous learning.  

What you’ll explore:  

  • How to identify morphemes, phonological patterns, and semantics in academic texts
  • Why morphological awareness, phonology, and semantics are equity issues
  • Strategies for teaching complex vocabulary and pronunciation patterns
  • How to create effective academic language objectives at the word level  

After this module, you’ll be able to teach word-level language intentionally to strengthen vocabulary development, pronunciation, and meaning-making. 

Enroll in Module 4: Word-Level Contextual Language Instruction and Support

In Module 5, explore the critical role of grammar and syntax in academic language comprehension. This module will help you teach sentence-level structures that shape meaning while honoring students' home languages and linguistic diversity.  

What you’ll explore:  

  • How language evolves and changes over time
  • Approaches to teaching grammar while honoring home language
  • Key syntactic structures in academic content areas
  • How to write effective sentence-level academic language objectives  

After this module, you’ll be able to support students in understanding and producing complex sentence structures while honoring linguistic diversity. 

Enroll in Module 5: Sentence-Level Contextual Language Instruction and Support

In Module 6, discover how complete texts are organized to serve specific purposes and audiences. This module focuses on genre instruction—making text structures explicit so students can understand and produce the genres essential to your content area.  

What you’ll explore:  

  • What discourse-level language is and why genre instruction matters
  • How to identify and analyze genres in academic contexts
  • The Teaching and Learning Cycle framework for genre instruction 
  • How to write discourse-level language objectives that make genre expectations explicit  

After this module, you’ll be able to help students recognize and produce academic genres by making text structure and purpose visible. 

Enroll in Module 6: Discourse-Level Contextual Language Instruction and Support

Choose Your Learning Path

Mix and match micro-credential modules to meet your needs and interests! Each module is designed to provide immediate, practical value for your teaching practice, whether you complete one or all of them.  

Ready to transform how you support language development? Explore our modules and discover the difference contextual language instruction can make. 

Enroll in Module 1 Enroll in Module 2 Enroll in Module 3 Enroll in Module 4 Enroll in Module 5 Enroll in Module 6

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