The TALLK Project
Since its inception in 2006, the TALLK Project has a deep and rich history of intentionally supporting educators to meet the needs of Dual Language Learners (DLL) in early care settings. TALLK has partnered with the Child Care Planning Council of Sonoma County to expand and strengthen its focus on DLLs across Sonoma County in three areas:
Training Coaches
TALLK has partnered with four agencies in Sonoma County (4Cs, CAP Sonoma, River to Coast Children’s Services, and North Bay Children's Center) to work deeply with coaches to support DLLs in early education and care settings. Through ongoing professional development and support, coaches will utilize research based strategies in their coaching practice to help providers meet the needs of their DLLs.
Building provider capacity
Every child care provider whose coach is supported by TALLK will have an opportunity to take part in incentivized Communities of Practice. These sessions will serve as a space for providers to talk with one another about the DLL strategies, reflect, and share effective practices and resources.
Home Language Interview
In order to effectively meet the needs of Dual Language Learners, it is imperative that early care settings know who these students are. The TALLK team is working to develop and implement a common intake procedure that will be used across the county, called the Home Language Interview. This will help providers to identify their DLL students and gain a comprehensive picture of a child’s language background that goes beyond a simple question about which languages are spoken in the home.
To learn more about The TALLK Project:
- Jenn Guerrero | TALLK Project Coordinator | jguerrero@scoe.org
- Elena Janred | TALLK - Early Education Support Teacher | ejanred@scoe.org
For questions regarding registration, stipends, and technical support:
- Erica Vuong | Childcare Planning Council Program Assistant | evuong@scoe.org