Western Illinois University and WQPT PBS will host the Ready to Learn Multilingual Education Conference in partnership with WIU-QC, The Grad Center, the Early Childhood Coalition of the Quad Cities and StarNet Regions I & III next month.
The conference will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 18. The event builds on the successes of the Ready to Learn Early Childhood Conferences and the Beyond ESL Conferences previously held in the Quad Cities.
The conference invites educators, caregivers and community members to explore diverse topics in the theory and practice of multilingual education for students from early childhood to adults. It will feature a keynote presentation and a variety of breakout sessions, along with opportunities for community organizations to share information.
“We are thrilled to have our keynote presenters, Alina Celeste and Mi Amigo Hamlet, join us to share Learn, Sing, Create: An Interactive Exploration of the Role of the Arts and Creativity in Learning Languages,” Melissa Gravert, director of Educational Outreach at WQPT PBS, said in a news release.
Later that day, participants can enjoy the Being Bilingual Rocks! Band as it performs a free family concert, rain or shine, from 6-7 p.m. at WIU Quad Cities campus in Moline. Everyone is invited to sing, dance, learn Spanish/English and play musical games in a blend of cultures, sounds and languages.
Professional development credits are available from ISBE and Gateways. Lunch will be available for purchase. For registration and more information, visit wqpt.org/rtl. WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University. For more information, visit wqpt.org.
