Integrated Literacy for Experienced Multilinguals, Grades 4-12

Tan Huynh (he/him) (tankhuynh.com) is a career international school teacher, consultant, and author specializing in secondary multilinguals and teacher collaboration. Coming to America as a refugee at the age of 5, Tan vividly remembers the difficulties of acquiring a new language and integrating in American culture while nurturing his Asian roots. This experience is the main engine that drives his work today. At school, he spends most of his time collaborating with teachers and in content-area classes to make content accessible. The rest of the time is spent teaching English language and literacy skills. Outside of school, Tan often presents internationally to schools and districts to support their work with multilingual students. Tan also hosts a blog, online courses, and a podcast about teaching multilinguals. With whatever time is left, Tan likes to work out, play badminton, and get lost in nature with his dog child. You can collaborate with Tan at Tan@tankhuynh.com and @TanKHuynh on Twitter. Beth Skelton (she/her) (www.bethskelton.com) is an independent consultant focused on creating equitable educational experiences for multilingual learners. She has been working in the field for over three decades teaching elementary, middle, high school and adult language learners in urban, suburban, rural, and international settings. As a university exchange student to Germany, Beth experienced firsthand the challenges that experienced multilinguals face when studying new content in their non-heritage language. She could communicate with peers, but still needed additional scaffolds to successfully write formal papers, read academic texts, and comprehend dense lectures. This influential experience still informs her work with students, teachers, schools, and districts around the world. Through workshops, coaching, and consulting, she advocates for all multilingual learners, especially those who have years of experience. Beth also enjoys hiking, skiing, yoga, playing marimba, gardening, and spending time with her family. You can connect with Beth by email at ellbeth@bethskelton.com or on Twitter at @easkelton.

PART 1: The Integrated Literacy Framework Chapter 1: The Instructional Needs of Experienced Multilinguals Who are experienced multilinguals? What is the dilemma for experienced multilinguals? What is the dilemma for ELD teachers? What is the opportunity for experienced multilinguals and ELD teachers? What is explicit ELD instruction? Chapter 2: The Integrated Literacy Framework Why should we have a framework for ELD classes The sequence of the Integrated Literacy Framework Planning with the Integrated Literacy Framework What is the Input-Output Loop? Why is the Integrated Literacy Framework specifically for experienced multilinguals? Chapter 3: Unit Planning Backward planning at the unit level Why should we plan the unit with the Integrated Literacy Framework? 5 steps to backwards planning Chapter 4: Lesson Planning for Academic Literacy Step 1: Identify the content Step 2: Write an exit ticket prompt Step 3: Produce a model response Step 4: Analyze the model response for content and the dimensions of language Step 5: Write an integrated objective Chapter 5: Designing Integrated Vocabulary Instruction Essential principles of vocabulary instruction What words should we teach in the unit? Introducing the vocabulary words Essential Engagement Models Integrating reading, writing, oracy, with vocabulary development at the sentence level Teaching reading through the vocabulary set Explaining vocabulary within the text Chapter 6: Sentence-Level Routines Literacy Routines for Sentence-Level Instruction Literacy Routines for Organization-Level Instruction PART 2: The Units UNIT 1: Forming Foundational Academic Language Vocabulary-level instruction Sentences-level instruction Organizational-level instruction UNIT 2: Cultivating Complex Academic Language Vocabulary-level instruction Sentences-level instruction Organizational-level instruction UNIT 3: Acquiring Advanced Academic Language Vocabulary-level instruction Sentences-level instruction Organizational-level instruction UNIT 4: Seeking Sophisticated Academic Language Vocabulary-level instruction Sentences-level instruction Organizational-level instruction Closure & Invitation Building on the framework Reflections on the framework Call to action With gratitude Appendix A: Appendix B: Model Response for a Multi-paragraph Essay on Japanese Internment Camps Appendix C: Lesson-planning template for the Integrated Literacy Framework References

"Tan demonstrated a live teaching methods to me from his class in 2024/2025 school year. I adopted it in my class for 2025/2026. Students were able to understand what you're trying to instruct them to do with visual and verbal at the same time. It shows the I do and we do clearly, which students then can do together for they do part prior to them doing it individually." -- Manin Keo "The strategies that Beth and Tan have honed are valuable for all educators, particularly those with multilingual learners in their classrooms. Full of practical and relevant visuals and graphic organizers along with meaningful reflection opportunities, this book models exactly how content should be presented to our students." -- Erika Chapman "The Integrated Literacy Framework embodies the hopes and dreams that we, as educators, hold for our multilingual learners. The strategies, tools, and insights presented in this work are designed to equip these students with the essential literacy skills that will open up all academic and professional choices for their futures. " -- Sara Sharer "Integrated Literacy Framework is an excellent resource for all educators, especially those working with our Experienced Multilingual students. All students are academic language learners and while this does focus on our Multilingual students, this framework is laid out in such an intentional and detailed manner for teachers addressing both language and content to make any student more successful in their literacy learning. Tan and Beth give a plethora of excellent examples and detailed visuals throughout this book making it extremely comprehensible and feasible to implement. This is a must read!" -- Michelle Kotwica "I have been waiting for a book of this kind and caliber for a long time. I have worked with multilingual learners for decades. I often feel I was working in isolation with only theoretical materials to help me understand the needs of EMLs but no resources to help me develop practical methods to actually teach with. This book provides that kind of resource and strong support." -- P. Payne