Preparing mainstream classroom teachers to work with culturally and linguistically diverse learners is a growing concern in
education as more and more schools host increasing numbers of
students whose primary language is not English. Unfortunately,
significant numbers of teachers have had little preparation for
working with these diverse learners and feel ill equipped to support their academic development. This mixed-methods case study
explores the longitudinal impact of a professional-development
program designed to increase teachers’ knowledge of second language acquisition and of appropriate instructional practices for
supporting English language learners (ELLs). Findings suggest
that participation in the program had a positive effect on participants’ knowledge of language and literacy acquisition, their ability
to plan and manage instruction for ELLs, their understanding of
appropriate assessment for ELLs, and their classroom practice. A
year later, though focal participants claimed maintenance, these
effects were only marginally present in their classroom practice.