ESL Symposia

English as a Second Language Symposia of the University of Arkansas

Multilingual Voices in Action: Language, Engagement and Critical Thinking

Flyer for the 18th-annual ESL Symposium 202618th Annual ESL Symposium

8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026

Graduate Education Building, 751 W. Maple Ave., Fayetteville. Flyer (PDF)

☞ Registration online (event has passed) | $35 professionals, $20 students | Meals included | Hotel block (event has passed) ☜
Eligible for 6 hours of professional development
Space is limited!

The symposia series is sponsored by the U of A College of Education and Health Professions.

Keynote

Eliciting and Interpreting Student Thinking

In this session, Dr. Mariana Castro presents how teachers can build language development into everyday instruction while valuing students' home languages. She shares practical strategies for eliciting and interpreting student thinking, supporting home-language use, and creating student-centered classrooms. Participants will leave with practical, research-informed approaches to strengthen effective language practices across classrooms, schools and communities.

Mariana CastroMariana Castro, Ph.D., is the research co-director of the Multilingual Learning Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she leads socially just research to improve outcomes for multilingual learners. With more than 30 years in education, she began her career working with students with disabilities and multilingual families, later teaching science, English as a Second Language and bilingual education before coming a teacher leader. Dr. Castro spent 16 years at WIDA leading professional learning and research, and has taught at Edgewood College in Madison and UW-Madison. Her research centers on language and teaching practices, and the use of innovative technology to help multilingual students learn and thrive in our schools.

Agenda

8:30-9 a.m. Check-in and coffee
9-9:15

Welcome and opening remarks, Dean Kate Mamiseishvili, Ph.D., University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions
9:15-10:15 Keynote by Marina Castro, Ph.D.: “Eliciting and Interpreting Student Thinking”
10:15-11:35 Hands-on session, Dr. Castro
11:35-12:35 p.m.

Lunch and student research "Lightning Presentations" gallery walk
12:35-1:35 Roundtable conversations
1:35-2:40

Community resource panel
2:40-3 Closing

Lodging

A block of hotel rooms has been set aside for participants at the Graduate Fayetteville, located at 70 N. East Ave., with online reservations required (event has passed) by Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. The rate is $149 per night plus applicable taxes.

Helpful Notes

  • Guests may book within the contracted dates (Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 26-28) using the link above, until the cutoff date.
  • If anyone needs to book shoulder dates outside the contracted period noted above, email the booking agent.
  • Once the current block has been filled, the hotel is happy to review the need for additional rooms. 

For more information on the 18th annual ESL Symposium, please contact Alissa Blair, Ph.D., ab139@uark.edu, or Cynthia Baeza, Ph.D., baeza@uark.edu.

Past Programs

  • 2025, 17th annual, "Advocating for Multilingual Learners in Policy, Community and Classroom Practice" with Lisa M. Dorner, Ph.D., keynoter
  • 2024, 16th annual, "Empowering Multilingual Learners: Access and Resources" with Maria Coady, Ph.D., and Grisel Cuadrado, M.Ed., keynoters
  • 2023, 15th annual, "Partnering to Serve Multilingual Learners in Classrooms, Schools and Communities" with Patricia Morita-Mullaney, Ph.D., and Richard Gómez Jr., Ph.D., keynoters
  • 2022, 14th annual, "Landmark Legislation and Arkansas Act 663 Bilingual Education/Dual Immersion" with Shantel E. Meek, Ph.D., state Rep. Megan Godfrey and Susana Ibarra Johnson, Ph.D. , keynoters
  • 2021, 13th annual, "Toward Flexible Teaching and Learning: Research-based Practices for Supporting Emergent Bilingual Students in Web-based Contexts" with Alissa Blair, Ph.D., and Renee Speight, Ph.D., keynoters
  • 2020, 12th annual, "A Language-Based Approach for Content Instruction for ELs" with Luciana de Oliveira, Ph.D., keynoter
  • 2019, 11th annual, "Assessment, Standards Implementation and Language and Literacy Development, with Focus on English Language Learners" with Sandy Chang, PhD., keynoter
  • 2018, 10th annual, "Connecting with Parents of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse students to Promote Positive Outcomes" with Jane Adams, Ph.D., keynoter
  • 2017, ninth annual, "Teaching English Learners through the Lens of Constructivism, Culturally-Relevant Pedagogy, and Community Building" with Amy Hewett-Olatunde, Ed.D., and KimOanh Nguyen-Lam, Ph.D., keynoters
  • 2016, eighth annual, "Advances in Teaching Academic Literacy to English Language Learners" with Robin Scarcella, Ph.D., keynoter
  • 2015, seventh annual, "Teaching Language, Literacy and Content to the Diverse EL Populations" with Margarita Calderón, Ph.D., keynoter
  • 2014, sixth annual, "English Language Learners and their Teachers in an Era of New Standards" with Aída Walqui, Ph.D., and Shabina Khalid Kavimandan, M.S., keynoters
  • 2013, fifth annual, "What’s Different About Differentiating for English Learners?" with Joyce Nutta, Ph.D., and Carlos E. Cortes, Ph.D., keynoters
  • 2012, fourth annual, "Weaving Pedagogical Practices for Teaching English Language Learners with Disabilities" with Drs. Diane Rodríguez and Robin Morales Cabral keynoters
  • 2011, third annual, "Fidelity Meets Differentiated Instruction: Strategies in Action for ELLs" with Socorro Herrera, Ed.D., keynoters
  • 2010, second annual, "Understanding and Meeting the Challenges of Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Different Students" with Eugene Garcia, Ph.D., and Roger Rosenthal, J.D., keynoters
  • 2009, first, "Using Brain Research to Enhance and Energize Language Instruction" with Drs. Janet Zadina, Yvonne Freeman and David Freeman keynoters