CREDENTIAL RESOURCES

Additional Resource Materials Available Online and by Mail Order

Much of the information below can also be found on the Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy and Learning (TCALL) website. It is listed here for your convenience and exploration.

Cambridge ESOL Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA)

The Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) is an introductory course for people who have little or no previous experience of English language teaching. The primary focus of the course is on the basic techniques of English language teaching and their practical application in the classroom. The CELTA is the most widely recognized international pre-service ELT qualification.

The Center on Education and Training for Employment (CETE)

The Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) is a digital library of education-related resources, sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences of the U.S. Department of Education. As the ERIC digital library opened to the public on September 1, 2004, the collection consists primarily of electronic bibliographic records describing journal and non-journal literature selected by ERIC from 1966 - 2003. In the months and years ahead, the collection will expand to include the full-text of articles along with other electronic resources such as audio and video materials. Archived ERIC documents are still available online for free.

Literacy Information and Communication System (LINCS)

LINCS is the premier on-line information and communications network for adult and family literacy. LINCS has enhanced the ability of all States to use information technologies in the context of literacy instruction; created a rich database of local, regional, and nationally developed materials; trained thousands of practitioners in applying technology in teaching and professional development; and leveraged several million dollars for regional, State, and local literacy agencies. With the addition of the Partnership for Reading to the NIFL's agenda, LINCS has become one of the principal locations for literacy-related information for children and youth, as well as adults.

Literacy in Libraries Across America (LILAA)

Sponsored by the American Library Association, this website includes literacy fact sheets, descriptions of literacy programs in libraries, and links to related sites.

National Adult Literacy Database, Canada

Includes the NALD literacy collection, full text of documents, newsletters, and a resource catalogue. Available in French and English.

National Adult Literacy Survey (NAALS)

The 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) is a nationally representative assessment of literacy among adults (age 16 and older) residing in households and prisons in the United States.

The Center for Adult English Language Acquisition

The Center for Adult English Language Acquisition (CAELA) replaces the National Center for ESL Literacy Education (NCLE), also housed at CAL, which since 1989 provided information and technical assistance to professionals who work with adult English language learners. The purpose of the new Center is to assist states with emerging populations who are learning English as a second language (ESL). The Center and its partners-- Abt Associates, American Institutes for Research (AIR), and the National Center for Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL) --

• will develop state capacity by building a training infrastructure and providing ongoing technical assistance to states involved in the trainings;
• disseminating research-based information and resources to states regarding effective English language instruction for adults; and
• maintaining a web site where research documents, information on professional development activities and opportunities, training materials, and links to other useful Web sites will assist practitioners as they seek to improve their practice.

National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL)

The National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL) both informs and learns from practice. Its rigorous, high quality research increases knowledge and gives those teaching, managing, and setting policy in adult literacy education a sound basis for making decisions. NCSALL is also a leader in designing innovative professional development programs and in building support for research use. The four goals of NCSALL are (1) increasing knowledge through research of issues that affect program success and adult learning; (2) improving practice through such efforts as ESOL and ABE/GED labsites; (3) providing leadership by bringing a research perspective to improving policy and practice; and (4) sharing expertise through informative publications, videos, and face-to-face communications.

National Institute for Literacy (NIFL)

The National Institute for Literacy's activities to strengthen literacy across the lifespan are authorized by the U.S. Congress under two laws, the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) in the Workforce Investment Act and the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The AEFLA directs the Institute to provide national leadership regarding literacy, coordinate literacy services and policy, and serve as a national resource for adult education and literacy programs. The NCLB law directs the Institute to disseminate information on scientifically based reading research pertaining to children, youth, and adults as well as information about development and implementation of classroom reading programs based on the research.

OTAN

Outreach and Technical Assistance Network. Provides electronic resources and links for adult literacy and education practitioners.

PBS Literacy Link

Offers an integrated system of video and online computer technology to help adults advance their GED and workplace skills.

Pennsylvania Bureau of Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE)

Adult basic education programs funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Adult Basic and Literacy Education, provide a full range of instructional services that address the basic educational needs of adults and families. The objective of the programs offered is the improvement of the literacy skills of educationally disadvantaged adults to levels of proficiency necessary for them to meet their needs and goals in their roles as citizens, workers, and family members. This site offers many publications including “Field News” and “Focus” which are geared for adult educators.

System of Adult Basic Education Support (SABES), Massachusetts Department of Education

SABES promotes high quality adult basic education services through training, support, and resources that improve the skills and knowledge of practitioners and strengthen programs. (“About SABES” Available SABES Homepage)

Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. (TESOL)

Teaching English to speakers of other languages is a field of practice that requires specialized training. TESOL is the name of the professional association and also the name of the specialized field of study. There are 285 academic institutes in the United States which offer BA, MA and Ph.D. programs designed for TESOL professionals. There are 90 worldwide affiliates with 50,000 members. In Texas, the TESOL affiliate is TexTESOL which has five regional sites: TexTESOL I, El Paso; TexTESOL II, San Antonio; TexTESOL III, Austin; TexTESOL IV, Houston; and TexTESOL V, Dallas.

Texas Center for Advancement of Literacy and Learning (TCALL)

TCALL was created in 1988 by the Board of Regents at Texas A&M University with the purpose of helping to reduce the incidence of adult illiteracy in Texas. At that time, the Division of Adult and Community Education at Texas Education Agency (TEA) was looking for a new "repository" for the adult literacy materials collection. Through a competitive bid process, Texas A&M University, College of Education was awarded this special project. The materials collection was moved here in late 1988, after we won the bid. Soon, the "materials collection" project increased in scope - and was renamed - the Adult Literacy Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse was TCALL’s first adult literacy project. The Clearinghouse functions as Texas’ official state literacy resource center, and the staff represent Texas in national activities held for state literacy resource centers. (“About TCALL” available TCALL Homepage).

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