School Readiness


TALLK: Teachers Acquiring Language Learner Knowledge

The goal of the TALLK project is to increase language acquisition among preschoolers in their home language and in English. The project accomplishes this goal by providing preschool staff with individualized coaching and extended professional development in language development strategies.

The project is funded by First 5 Sonoma County and serves state-funded preschools and child development centers in the identified school readiness zone in Santa Rosa. A large percentage of the children served in these programs are from families that speak Spanish at home. The project endeavors to build language skills in both English and the students’ home language, recognizing that skills learned in both languages will support the children’s literacy development.

Program Components

TALLK utilizes a bilingual coach who works with participating preschool staff to positively impact the quality of conversation between adults and the children they serve. Responding to evidence-based research showing that language development is heightened through meaningful verbal interaction, the coach trains instructional staff to:

  • Build on and extend what children are saying
  • Engage children in talk about cognitively rich topics
  • Use varied vocabulary
  • Sustain conversations about individual topics

TALLK extends throughout the school year by providing one-on-one coaching, on-site training, and individualized support. It begins with a one-day orientation session that introduces participants to two resources that will be used throughout the year: Preschool English Learners: Principles and Practices to Promote Language, Literacy, and Learning from the California Department of Education and One Child, Two Languages: A Guide for Preschool Educators of Children Learning English as a Second Language by Patton O. Tabors.

Following the orientation, TALLK provides:

  • One-on-one coaching sessions at least twice per week using technology that allows the coach to suggest specific language development strategies to the teacher while the teacher is actively involved with the children
  • On-site monthly staff trainings that introduce specific “best practice” strategies from the two resource books, promote discussion about using the strategies with children, and respond to the site’s unique training needs
  • Pre- and post- meetings accompanying each coaching session to allow for further professional development and prepare for the next session
  • Stipends of $150 for each participant who completes the year-long program

The TALLK project was initiated in 2006-07 and has served 25-30 participants each year, thereby enhancing language acquisition for 250-300 preschoolers annually. Participant feedback and an independent evaluation indicate that the program has positively impacted teacher effectiveness in working with English learners and that there is a high level of participant support for the program. Further evaluations are being conducted to assess the program’s long-term effect both on the quality of teaching and on student language development.

TALLK Review Group
After completing the year-long coaching and professional development program, participants are invited to join the TALLK Review Group. Here, program alumni from all sites come together five times per school year to review strategies learned, add to their knowledge, and share their experiences. Led by the TALLK coach, these meetings provide networking opportunities and give participants a chance to model best practices for each other. Teachers attending the review meetings are encouraged to share strategies learned with others at their site, thereby building leadership capacity and developing a more effective teaching staff.

Participating School Sites

2009-10
Lincoln Head Start
R.L. Stevens Head Start Preschool
Roseland Head Start State Preschool, Room 1
Windsor State Preschool
Wright State Preschool

2008-09
Barbara Daniels Love State Preschool
Kawana Springs State Preschool
Paulin Creek Child Development Center
Roseland Head Start State Preschool, Room 4
Roseland Head Start State Preschool, Room 5

2007-08
Bellevue State Preschool
Burbank Head Start
Florence Kirby Child Development Center
Robert Call Child Development Center
SCOE Special Education Preschool

2006-07
Apples & Bananas Preschool, Roseland Room K-1
Apples & Bananas Preschool, Roseland Room K-2
Apples & Bananas Preschool, Sheppard
Lincoln Head Start
Multi-Cultural Child Development Center
Willow Creek State Preschool

Contact

  • Pam Turner, Coordinator, School Readiness
    (707) 524-2779,