Language development, multicultural, teacher aides, early childhood, interactive talking with children addresses a substantial need for innovative training strategies that improve the competence of teacher aides (TA's) in strategies known to promote language production and acquisition in students (K-3) with limited English proficiency (LEP). Phase I. Objectives for talking with children are to produce: an annotated curriculum manual outline designed for teacher aides of best practices for enhancing language acquisition among limited English proficient children, (K-3); and a treatment for three video tapes to accompany the curriculum manual integrating best practices with actual activities designed to develop a broad range of literacy skills within a multicultural paradigm.Results:Innovative training materials targeting teacher's aides in disadvantaged school districts with limited access to sophisticated training technologies. Materials will assist teacher assistants in understanding cultural influences, language codes, non verbal communication, cultural communicative style, and individual differences and their impact on students. Competencies critical to teaching staff working with LEP children (K-3) will be integrated into the training strategies. These include: language, culture, curriculum, physical environment, instructional models, and work with families. Treatments for video tapes will use (a) interviews and anecdotes to illustrate best practices among teachers, teacher aides and students; (b) jumpstart K-3 literacy kits (phase II SBIR RN 93083002) will illustrate appropriate language development activities in a multicultural context.
