Boosting Achievement: The ESL Podcast

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Carol Salva and her guests explore ways to empower language learners and the teachers who teach them. We're not just closing gaps, we're growing leaders.

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    • Mar 30, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 50m AVG DURATION
    • 210 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Boosting Achievement: The ESL Podcast

    BAP126 To Teachers of Immigrants from Dr. Francisco Jimenez

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2025 58:05


    Dr. Carol Salva interviews award-winning professor and author, Dr. Francisco Jiménez.  Full show notes at bit.ly/BAPODCAST. This show offers inspiration to anyone teaching Multilingual Learners with interrupted education, students who may be fearful of deportation, and any students who may be struggling due to difficult circumstances. Dr. Jiménez was deported as a migrant farm worker when he was in school.  But his life is proof that a challenging event is not the end of a person's story.  His autobiographical books are listed by the American Library Assn's 50 best young adult books of all time.  They are so important for our empathy and our mindset.  Now we can add this podcast to our toolbox!  

    BAP 125 The Past, The Future, and What to do RIGHT NOW

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2024 44:01


    Yes, we need to show students what to do to become more fluent.  They can make their language acquisition go so much faster. Dr. Carol Salva shares tips for that in the "What to do Right Now" part of this episode.  But these ideas fall flat if you are not helping learners reflect on how far they have come, and show them where they could be in a few months, years.. and beyond.  Find the links at bit.ly/BAPODCAST, Episode 125

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    BAP124 LEAP - Teaching Newcomers in This Climate

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2024 54:16


    Show notes are at bit.ly/BAPODCAST. If you are feeling distraught right now, Dr. Carol Salva has a process that might help you.  Many teachers of immigrant students are feeling distraught due to the results of the 2024 election. So this show is drawing on what Dr. Salva learned while teaching newcomers during difficult times.  Perhaps they can support you too. 

    BAP123 Newcomer Teacher Checklist for Beginning of the Year

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2024 56:21


    Based on the last 12 months of working with newcomer teachers, Carol (@DrCarolSalva) creates a short list of what Newcomer teachers can do to best serve new arrival learners and support their own self care.  The reflections in this show are for the beginning of the school year but can be done at any time.   

    BAP122 Reflection for Newcomers and their Teachers

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2024 58:28


    @DrCarolSalva offers ideas for getting the most out of time with Newcomer students. The show covers research and practical ideas for Newcomer Learners, Newcomer Teachers, and Content Area Teachers.  Some of the things mentioned in this show are KEY to receiving higher numbers of newcomers throughout the year in a way that makes sense for the teacher and the students.  Show notes can be found at bit.ly/BAP_122.  

    BAP121 Keys to an Effective Language Assistance Program ft. Khalil El-Saghir

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2024 58:04


    In this episode Dr. Carol Salva interviews Khalil El-Saghir about supporting the educators of Multilingual Learners. His background is extensive! In the first half of this episode, we get to hear about where his passion comes from. The second half of the show ended up being a blueprint for an effective Language Assistance Program as he shares specific, essential elements every program should have.

    BAP120 Newcomer Numbers Rising? Reboot Your ESL Class

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2023 39:30


    Has your class grown?? Behavior getting off the rails a bit? It's a great time to hit the reset button if things have gone off track in the newcomer classroom. Mid-year was always the time of year that Dr. Carol Salva needed to think about doing a hard stop to reset things. Find the show notes at Bit.ly/BAPODCAST

    BAP119 When Perfect Ruins Your Good

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2023 9:50


    Show notes are at the short link: bit.ly/BAPODCAST. This is a quick show that should resonate with SO MANY educators. Dr. Salva reflects on a quote by Voltaire, "Perfect is the Enemy of Good." Listeners may find it helpful to reflect on what they are not doing or not appreciating in their own work as they strive for perfection.

    BAP118 Making Americans ft J Lander

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2023 59:36


    The wonderful Jessica Lander (@Jessica_Lander) is here to share about her book, Making Americans: Stories of Historic Struggles, New Ideas, and Inspiration in Immigrant Education. Dr. Salva highly recommends the book but you can get lots of the ideas for free by listening to this episode. All show notes are at BIT.LY/BAPODCAST. Find episode 118 for links to what was discussed on this show.

    BAP117 CoCreating Text for Grade-Level Content Learning

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2023 45:38


    Dr. Carol Salva shares about how any teacher can differentiate and lift up the voices of their students with co-created text. This technique does not require planning but has quite a bit of research on its effectiveness. Find links in the show notes at bit.ly/BAP117

    Ep 116 The Student Motivation Handbook ft Larry Ferlazzo

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2023 61:37


    Our guest for this episode is world-renowned educator, Larry Ferlazzo. He joined Dr. Carol Salva to talk about his new book, The Student Motivation Handbook: 50 Ways to Boost an Intrinsic Desire to Learn. This is not a book exclusively for teachers of Multilingual Learners but it DEFINITELY is imporantt for the teacher of newcomers. Find the show notes at bit.ly/BAP116

    BAP115 Five Ideas to Go Beyond Language Experience Approach

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2023 37:00


    Dr. Salva recommends co-creating text with newcomer students. It is no-prep and high return on investment. Key for accelerating language acquisition is to reuse that text! This episode is full of ideas for what teachers can do to support language acquisition through the re-purposing of co-created text.

    BAP114 Literacy for Older Newcomers, What is Practical and Effective

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2022 55:02


    How can foundational literacy skills be taught to older Emergent Bilingual students? This show is in direct response to educators and education leaders asking Dr. Carol Salva about phonics instruction (based on what we are hearing from the Science of Reading) and how that makes sense for our Multilingual Learners. I have lots of resources and practical ideas for you! Full Show Notes are at bit.ly/BAP114

    BAP113 After a Traumatic Event ft Kim Thyberg

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2022 55:30


    Kim Thyberg (@KimberlyThyberg) joins Carol (@DrCarolSalva) to talk about how we begin teaching again after a traumatic event. This show focuses on new arrival students but the messages would apply to any classroom. The notes are at bit.ly/BAPODCAST and include several resources to dealing with trauma and Social-Emotional Learning.

    BAP112 Free Voluntary Reading ft Emily Francis

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2022 51:49


    Emily Francis (@EmilyFranESL), author of If You Only Knew: Letters from an Immigrant Student joins Dr. Carol Salva (@DrCarolSalva) to discuss Free Voluntary Reading with Newcomers and her own journey.

    BAP111 Instead of IDK for SLIFE and Newcomers

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2022 37:11


    Dr. Salva reflects on holding our nSewcomers in high regard and teach them what to day when they don't know what to say. Language is not a cognitive issue. We need this important strategy so that everyone can be included and participate. But some things can go wrong when they don't speak the target language yet.

    BAP110 Back to School Mindset Plus Resources for Newcomer Teachers

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2022 33:06


    Dr. Salva revisits the top 5 things she always recommends for starting the school year but this show is mostly about the MINDSET we need as we serve our most marginalized students. @DrCarolSalva #BoostingAchievement

    BAP109 Small Moves, Big Gains with Author Nancy Motley

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2022 41:31


    Dr. Carol Salva (@DrCarolSalva) is joined by author, trainer, and instructional coach, Nancy Motley (@NancyMotleyTRTW). Nancy shares several tips and strategies from her new book, "Small Moves, Big Gains: Teacher Habits that Help Kids to Talk More, Think More and Achieve More."

    BAP108 QSSSA Resources ft Chris Hagy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2022 34:15


    Dr. Carol Salva (@DrCarolSalva) is joined by Christopher Hagy, Assistant Director for Multilingual Learners in Charleston County School District. They are using this show to explain the QSSSA strategy and offer his teachers a padlet full of resources to learn about this powerful technique. The show offers the resources to anyone who wants to use them. The two discuss the strategy but also the way Chris is supporting teachers with multiple entry points to learning how to serve MLs.

    BAP107 ESL/ELL Survival Guide ft. Ferlazzo and Sypnieski

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2022 44:01


    Larry Ferlazzo (@LarryFerlazzo) and Katie Hull Sypnieski (@KHullSyp), educators and authors of The ESL/ELL Teacher's Survival Guide 2nd Edition, join Carol Salva (@MsSalvaC) to talk about their new resource. The three discuss all the free opportunities listeners have to use content from the book and the conversation also includes inspiring messages for today's educators of MLLs.

    BAP106 Voices of Newcomers ft. Dr. Denise Furlong

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2022 33:46


    Dr. Denise Furlong (@denise_furlong) joins host Dr. Carol Salva (@MsSalvaC) to offer tips for supporting Newcomer students. Dr. Furlong also shares about her new book, Voices of Newcomers; Experiences of Multilingual Learners. Denise is a teacher educator at Georgian Court University in New Jersey, she is a consultant and a strong advocate for Multilingual Learners.

    BAP105 Ambassadors and Newcomer Leadership ft Margaret Rutaquio

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2022 59:21


    If you want to make a difference for all the newcomers enrolling in your schools, this is a great show with lots of free resources.  Carol Salva (@MsSalvaC) interviews guest iMargaret Gisala Rutaquio (@aggie_rutaquio), a Multilingual Programs Newcomer Facilitator from Garland ISD. Margaret shares her Ambassador program, intake process and ideas for newcomer leadership.

    BAP104 Leadership and Change ft. Derek Rhodenizer

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2022 59:10


    Derek Rhodenizer (@DerekRhodenizer) and Carol (@MsSalvaC) reflect on several aspects of leadership. He is about to take a new assistant principal position and will begin serving Multilingual Learners in public education for the first time. The conversation is full of reflective moments that can support the learning journey of anyone serving language learners.

    BAP103 Motivation & Engagement for SLIFE

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2021 50:44


    SLIFE (or Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education) are able to learn quickly but their degree of motivation can significantly affect their progress. This show breaks down the 4 things Carol focuses on for increasing motivation. The advice is aligned to an article by Larry Ferlazzo & the work of Dr. Lora Beth Escalante, Daniel Pink and others. Find links at bit.ly/BAPODCAST, Episode 103

    BAP102 Journey to Belonging ft Dr. Ilene Winokur

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2021 42:37


    Dr. Ilene Winokur (@IleneWinokur) joins Carol and Stephen to discuss her new book, Journey to Belonging. The three talk about the research, the impacts and practical ways to create a safe place for learning.

    BAP101 Dr. Margaret Aisicovich on her book, 100 Ways to Kill a Teacher

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2021 38:07


    In the show, Dr. Margaret Aisicovich (@MAisicovich), Stephen Hurley (@Stephen_Hurley) and Dr. Carol Salva (@MsSalvaC) talk about some of the realities outlined in Margaret's new book, "100 Ways to Kill a Teacher: Cautionary Tales about Public Education in Canada).  It is a collection of stories regarding the pitfalls, heartbreaks, and limitations teachers can expect to face in the field of education.

    BAP100 John Carlson of Kid Inspired Classroom

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2021 38:27


    Take your choice boards to the next level! John Carlson of Kid-Inspired Classroom joins Carol Salva & Stephen Hurley to share a practical idea that offers increased engagement & differentiation for all level learners. John and Carol also reflect on the benefits of sharing your practices and sharing the ideas of others.

    BAP099 Starting Strong for Newcomers in 2021 - TOP TIPS

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2021 47:50


    Are you ready?? In some parts of the world, we are already in Back-to-School PD!  So, as we do every year, we are sharing top tips for the New Arrival classroom & how they may look in the current reality. Carol Salva talks about the 2021-2022 school year with Stephen Hurley on a LIVE Boosting Achievement episode and that show is a big chunk of this podcast episode. 

    BAP098 Amplifying the Voices of Unaccompanied Minors ft. John Seidlitz

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2021 30:05


    Special guest, John Seidlitz (@JohnSeidlitz), joined a live show to talk with Carol (@MsSalvaC) and Stephen (@Stephen_Hurley) about an incredible opportunity on July 21, 2021.  The free conference, Amplifying the Voices of Unaccompanied Minors, will feature inspiring speakers who have lived the experience of arriving to the United States unaccompanied

    BAP097 Feeling Prepared to Support SLIFE ft. Dr. Margaret Aisicovich

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2021 34:56


    Carol Salva (@MsSalvaC) & Stephen Hurley (@Stephen_Hurley) are joined by special guest Dr. Margaret Aisichovich (@MAisicovich). Dr. Aisicovich is a PhD, author, former ESL educator, former principal and more. Her research is important to our thinking about how prepared we feel to support SLIFE (Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education). This show offers an opportunity to reflect on the capability of SLIFE and the impact we can have as teachers, administrators, and educational organizations.

    BAP096 You're Invited to The ML Summit (Previously VirtuEL)!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2021 11:20


    @KatieToppel, @TanKHuynh, and @MsSalvaC are thrilled to bring you their 5th annual completely free, YouTube conference for teachers of Multilingual Learners.  Even if you find this show after July 2021, all the sessions are still there...as are the ones from 2017 to 2020! Shownotes are at bitl.ly/BAPODCAST

    BAP095 Newcomer Academy Success ft. Snow and McGrath

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2021 38:30


    The Newcomer Academy in Jefferson County Public Schools has been serving new arrival high school students for 15 years. Principal Gwen Snow (@GwenCSnow) and Assistant Principal, Dr. Irina McGrath (@Irina_McGrath) share some very important actions they are taking to best educate their newcomer and SLIFE learners in their high school.

    BAP094 Hope with Agency & Shifting to an Asset Lens

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2021 29:41


    In this show, Carol (@MsSalvaC) and Stephen (@Stephen_Hurley) reflect on the labels we use to describe language learners. In the conversation includes a discussion on multiple perspectives and hope but also offers some practical advice on creating an environment that supports and embraces diversity.

    BAP093 Family Engagement ft. Viana Armstrong

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2021 37:48


    Viana Armstrong (@armstrongvi) joins Carol (@MsSalvaC) to talk about a successful family engagement experience. Viana talks about how a virtual concert had a positive impact on the families of multilingual learners in her rural Texas district. She also shared a program for family involvement and education. Carol reflects on the effect of these types of efforts and how they can may be the most powerful thing we can do right now.

    BAP092 The School I Deserve ft Jo Napolitano

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2021 36:22


    Author and award-winning journalist, Jo Napolitano (@Jo_Napolitano) joins Carol (@MsSalvaC) to talk about her new book, "The School I Deserve, Six Young Refugees and Their Fight for Equality in America." The show includes an excerpt read aloud by Jo, a conversation about the true events, and the importance of the story for educators. Carol also adds commentary on how she is using the book to propel the literacy of SLIFE learners.

    BAP091 Engaging ELs with Writing ft Natalia Heckman

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2021 32:32


    Natalia Heckman (@NataliaESL) joins Carol (@MsSalvaC) to offer us tips on engaging ELs with writing. A student may not be excited about constructing and deconstructing sentences, but we can certainly engage them enough to do just that. Natalia shows us how!

    BAP 090 Dr. Ilene Winokur on Creating a Sense of Belonging

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2021 30:19


    BAP089 Dr. Katie Toppel on K-1 ELs and Remote Learning

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2021 84:25


    Dr. Katie Toppel (@Toppel_EDL) shares her tips, techniques, and mindset for successfully supporting Kinder and 1st grade diverse students. Tan Huynh (@TanKHuynh) and Carol Salva (@MsSalvaC) interview their co-author, Dr. Toppel, about what's working with her young students.

    BAP088 Sara Sparks on Supporting Unengaged or Failing Students

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2021 30:36


    Instructional coach, Sara Sparks (@SaraSparks21) joins Carol (@MsSalvaC) and Stephen Hurley (@Stephen_Hurley) for a LIVE show about supporting unengaged or failing students. Sara has practical tips for connecting with families and engaging students in this difficult time. Show notes are at bit.ly/BAPODCAST

    BAP087 Texas Blizzard Reflections

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2021 23:57


    Carol reflects on her week in the Texas Blizzard. She describes what it was like for her family and friends and how the experience helps her reflect on the mindset we need to support our students right now.

    BAP086 Natalia Heckman on Sentence Level Writing with ELs

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2021 45:48


    Natalia Heckman joins Carol to explain the need for syntax instruction with ELs and how it does not need to be boring! Natalia is an educational consultant in high demand because she offers engaging EL trainings. She also has a proven track record for boosting the writing scores of older ELs on standardized assessments. This episode offers many links to free resources and opportunities to learn from Natalia.

    BAP085 Kindness MLK & Valentines Day

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2021 30:47


    Description: Carol explains her favorite January activities to support immigrant youth. She includes many resources for educators that want to work with compelling text and support ELs to listen, speak, read and write daily. The show explains how to facilitate the activities so they are practical and highly engaging for students.

    BAP084 Patience with Jen Steffens

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2020 57:02


    Carol's guest is Michigan Educator Jen Steffens (@JenJenniels) who shares about a breakthrough with some of her Newcomer students. Jen and Carol reflect on the incredible payoff that is possible, even during a pandemic, when we exercise persistence, patience and high expectations for all learners.

    BAP083 NewsInLevels for Emergent Readers

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2020 54:16


    You may have some great websites for your English Learners but what if they move? Do they still have access to them? Are they high interest for older learners? This show offers a top tip. Carol explains how to use NewsInLevels and how it can help your ELs take ownership of their language acquisition and literacy. It's also a GREAT idea for their parents.

    BAP082 Reading and Writing with ELs by Valentina Gonzalez and Dr. Melinda Miller

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2020 45:27


    Valentina Gonzalez (@ValentinaESL ) and Dr. Melinda Miller (@DrMelindaMiller ) join Carol to offer a sneak peek at their new book for K-5 educators. They share tips, insight and advice for working with ELs in a Balanced Literacy Framework. They also share about opportunities to join free PD events with them.

    BAP082 Reading and Writing with ELs by Valentina Gonzalez and Dr. Melinda Miller

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2020 45:27


    Valentina Gonzalez (@ValentinaESL ) and Dr. Melinda Miller (@DrMelindaMiller ) join Carol to offer a sneak peek at their new book for K-5 educators. They share tips, insight and advice for working with ELs in a Balanced Literacy Framework. They also share about opportunities to join free PD events with them.

    BAP081 ELs Online with Shory and Courtney

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2020 59:25


    Michelle Shory (@Michelleshory) and Drew Courtney (@mrcourtney_esl) join Carol Salva (@MsSalvac) to talk about teaching ELs online when you've never met them, they have jobs, they don't have chromebooks, and they are at risk of aging out. Their adventures in teaching summer school and their roles at coaches offer fantastic insight!

    BAP081 ELs Online with Shory and Courtney

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2020 59:25


    Michelle Shory (@Michelleshory) and Drew Courtney (@mrcourtney_esl) join Carol Salva (@MsSalvac) to talk about teaching ELs online when you've never met them, they have jobs, they don't have chromebooks, and they are at risk of aging out. Their adventures in teaching summer school and their roles at coaches offer fantastic insight!

    BAP080 Bravery with Michelle Van Balkom

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2020 57:09


    Michelle joins Carol to reflect on a recent risk she took presenting PD live over YouTube. The show offers several examples of educators taking risks and the benefits that follow even if there is a tech fail.

    BAP080 Bravery with Michelle Van Balkom

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2020 57:09


    Michelle joins Carol to reflect on a recent risk she took presenting PD live over YouTube. The show offers several examples of educators taking risks and the benefits that follow even if there is a tech fail.

    BAP079 Tips to a Strong Start During COVID19

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2020 24:19


    Many parts of the world are going back to school. It will be a challenge regardless of how your school is going back. Carol offers ideas for starting the school year whether your ELL class is online or in person.

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