Multilingual Professional Learning

Contact Information

Multilingual Education Program

The Multilingual Education Program provides monthly virtually information sessions, networks for directors and educators who serve multilingual learners, dual and heritage language professional learning communities (PLCs), and in-person opportunities for professional learning and collaboration. To quickly access key resources, professional learning and support for multilingual learner (ML) and dual language (DL) programs, download the ML Reference Sheet and DL Reference Sheet.

Monthly Information Sessions

Monthly Information Sessions are held at 9:00-10:00 am and 3:00-4:00 pm on the first Thursday of each month. These sessions provide professional learning and timely information for leaders of Multilingual Learner programs.

ML Information Session Topics 2026-27

Sessions for the 2026-27 school year will include these topics:

  • Sept. 3, 2026 – Enrollment & Identification – Slides (add slides) | Recording
  • Oct. 1, 2026 – Title III Native Literacy – Slides (add slides) | Recording
  • Nov. 5, 2026 – ELD Strategies
  • Dec. 3, 2026 – MTSS for Multilingual Learners
  • Jan. 7, 2027 – Content & WIDA Standards
  • Feb. 4, 2027 – Braiding Funding
  • Mar. 4, 2027 – Family Engagement
  • Apr. 1, 2027 – Dual & Heritage Language
  • May 6, 2027 – Grant Applications & Program Planning
  • June 3, 2027 – Use of WIDA Data

Please see pdEnroller to sign up for clock hours and access Zoom links for these sessions.

Multilingual Learning Networks

The Multilingual Learning Networks hold monthly virtual sessions to support professional learning and collaboration among educators and leaders who work with multilingual learners.

Partners in Multilingual Learning Network

The Partners in Multilingual Learning Network is a welcoming space for all educators including ML teachers, classroom teachers, paraeducators, specialists, and others who serve multilingual learners in classrooms to come together, share ideas, and grow their practice. Sessions include featured speakers and collaboration with colleagues to learn about the latest research, effective instructional strategies, and high-quality materials and tools to better serve multilingual learners. 

Multilingual Director Network

The Multilingual Director Network is for district multilingual or federal program directors and leaders. OSPI Multilingual Program staff provide guidance and support for the implementation of the Multilingual Learner Statewide Strategic Plan, a deep dive into the ML Program Review Checklist, and time for collaborating and sharing with colleagues.

In-Person Workshops

OSPI is offering a series of in-person workshops in collaboration with Educational Service Districts to support WIDA alignment with the Washington 2026 Content Standards.

Bridging Content, Language, and Literacy

As districts begin exploring Washington’s newly updated 2026 ELA, Mathematics, and Science Standards, this free full-day, in-person workshop led by OSPI and ESD partners will focus on how the WIDA ELD Standards Framework can help teachers make the language demands within content learning visible and intentionally support multilingual learners’ access to rigorous, grade-level instruction.

  • ESD 101 – Friday, Sept. 28 | 8:30am – 3:30pm | Registration closed
  • ESD 171 – Thursday, Oct. 22 | 8:30am – 3:30 pm | Registration closed
  • ESD 121 - Friday, Nov. 20 | 8:30am - 3:30pm | Register on pdEnroller
  • ESD 123 - Friday, Jan. 8 | 8:30am - 3:30pm | Register on pdEnroller
  • ESD 105 - Monday, Jan. 11 | 8:30am - 3:30pm | Register on pdEnroller
  • ESD 112 - Monday, Feb. 1 | 8:30am - 3:30pm | Register on pdEnroller
  • ESD 189 - Thursday, Feb. 11 | 8:30am - 3:30pm | Registration coming soon!
  • ESD 113 & 114 - Dates coming soon!

WIDA Professional Learning

As members of the WIDA Consortium, all educators in Washington state public schools have access to high-quality professional learning through WIDA. These opportunities include self-paced workshops and live or virtual facilitated workshops led by WIDA professional development specialists. To access these workshops as well as all required WIDA assessment trainings, educators must log in through the WIDA Secure Portal.

Get a WIDA Secure Portal Account

All WIDA assessment materials, required training for screeners and assessments, and professional learning courses are in the WIDA Secure Portal, which can be accessed by all K-12 educators in Washington public schools. To get a Secure Portal account:

  1. Email WIDA Help and ask to set up a WIDA Secure Portal account for assessments and eLearning. You must use your district email address.
  2. You will receive an email from WIDA Client Services Center informing you that an account has been set up.
  3. Go to: WIDA Login webpage.
  4. Select: WIDA Secure Portal
  5. Login to the WIDA Secure Portal with your district email address and password.

2026-27 WIDA Self-Paced Courses

The following self-paced WIDA Workshops are available from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027, to support effective instruction and language development for multilingual learners. Courses provide free clock hours and are available to all K-12 public school educators. Private schools who opt into federal Title III services are eligible for these courses as well. Contact your school administrator for more information.

Use the following links to register for clock hours on pdEnroller:

WIDA Facilitated Workshops & Webinars

OSPI is offering the following in-person workshops and virtual webinars from WIDA in the 2026-27 school year.

Writing with Multilingual Learners in the Elementary Grades

  • In-Person Workshops
  • Oct. 26-27, 2026 | 8:30-4:00 | Renton, WA
  • Oct. 29-30, 2026 | 8:30-4:00 | Richland, WA
  • Registration Closed

Actionable Approaches for Centering Newcomers 

  • Virtual Webinars
  • Jan. 26, 2027 & Feb. 2, 2027 | 3:30-5:00 pm
  • Registration coming soon

Expanding Reading Instruction with Multilingual Learners  

  • Virtual Webinars
  • April 21 & 28, 2027 | 3:30-5:00 pm
  • Registration coming soon

When Language and Disability Meet: Planning Instruction to Support Multilingual Learners Who Are Dually Identified   

  • Virtual Webinars
  • Dates TBD (May 3-13, 2027)
  • Registration coming soon

Dual and Heritage Language PLCs

The purpose of the Dual and Heritage Language Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) is to foster collaboration, share best practices, and address common challenges in dual and heritage language education. The goal of these groups is to build a strong, statewide network of support that uplifts educators, strengthens programs, and advances equitable outcomes for multilingual learners.                                     

Dual Language PLC 

The Dual Language PLC meets on 2nd Tuesdays at noon to connect about dual language leadership. District leaders, DL principals, and DL coaches are encouraged to attend.

  • Days:  2nd Tuesdays – Oct. 6, Nov. 3, Dec. 1, Jan. 5, Feb. 2, Mar. 2, Apr. 6, May 4
  • Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
  • Register on pdEnroller

Heritage Language PLC

The Heritage Language PLC meets on 4th Tuesday afternoons and is designed for heritage language teachers and those who are supporting the development of heritage language programs.

  • Days:  4th Tuesdays – Sept. 22, Oct. 27, Jan. 26, Mar. 23, May 25
  • Time: 3:30-4:30 pm
  • Register on pdEnroller

Dual Language School Visits & Networks

OSPI takes an asset-based approach to highlight the work of districts that are willing to share their experiences, successes, and challenges by opening their doors to others during Dual Language School Visits and through in-person Collaboration Networks. 

Dual Language School Visits

Would your team like to visit and see dual language programs in action? Dual language School Visits typically allow up to 30 participants (max. 8 per district). Sign up to attend a dual language school visit:
•    Oct. 15 – Wahluke School District | Registration closed
•    Oct. 20 – Federal Way School District | Registration closed
•    Nov. 6 – Edmonds School District | Register
•    Dec. 1 – Selah School District | Register
•    Jan. 28 – Kent School District | Register
•    Mar. 4 – Bethel School District | Register
•    Mar. 26 – Kennewick School District | Register
•    Apr. 29 – Bellevue School District | Register
•    May 21 – Grandview School District | Register

Dual Language Collaboration Networks

Join educators and leaders to collaborate, share resources, and strengthen dual language programs. Participants will engage in professional learning, discuss effective practices, receive OSPI updates, and explore strategies that support multilingual learners' academic success, bilingualism, biliteracy, and family engagement.

2026-27 Northwest Dual Language Network

2026-27 Southwest Dual Language Network

2026-27 Central/Eastern Dual Language Network