Acculturation and Cognition: Issues in Identification and Intervention

This class explores the complexities of the interaction among culture, language, cognition and development, particularly in relation to the public school environment.  The class will address the impact of acculturation on the identification of special needs, screening and assessment for special education, specific intervention and instruction issues and provide procedures and strategies for addressing the acculturative needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students.    Dr. Collier has taught this course at Fordham University in New York.

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Assessment and Evalution in the Education of ELL Students

Students receive information about assessment and evaluation within cross-cultural settings, particularly in the education of English language learners and limited English proficient students.  We will cover legal and ethical issues as well as provide students the opportunity to use and interpret various assessment techniques.  Dr. Collier has taught this course at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon.

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Second Language Acquisition

The goal in this course is to explore the complex and fascinating world of language learning.  We will examine current trends and issues in second language acquisition (SLA), theoretical notions and research in the study of language.  We will also examine the language learner, the process of acquisition, and the interaction of  of the agent, learner, language and the learning context.  This course will aid in developing awareness of how SLA theory and research apply to specific language learning and teaching environments and in evaluating the hypotheses scholars have formed to try to answer questions related to SLA.

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Separating Difference and Disability

This course addresses the challenges facing education professionals working with language minority students with learning and behavior problems and provdies an introduction to the assessment, intervention and identifcation strategies that are most effective.  Dr. Collier has taught this course at Northern Arizona University.

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Working With LEP Children with Special Needs

Examine the current research in special education and see where it appropriate in working with the limited English proficient (LEP) child.  Consider issues including testing and diagnosis; appropriate teaching materials and methods, and placement.  Discuss political, social, and community concerns in working with LEP students with special needs.  Prerequisite:  Impact of Language and Culture in the Classroom is strongly recommended before enrollment in this course.

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