The San Mateo County Office of Education supports dual language learning through the Early Childhood Language Development Institute (ECLDI), which enhances the academic performance skills of English Language Learner (ELL) students by narrowing the readiness gap for young dual language learners. 

About the Institute

The Institute’s vision is to enhance the academic performance skills of English Learner (EL) students in the public school system by narrowing the readiness gap for young Dual Language Learners (DLLs). Its mission is to prepare children with home languages other than English to be eager and ready to learn in school and throughout life. ECLDI's overarching principles are as follows:

  • Preserving and encouraging children's home languages and cultures
  • Developing teaching and learning supports for dual language learning
  • Fostering culturally and linguistically relevant early learning experiences, practices and policies
  • Cultivating meaningful connections with families of DLLs

Workshops for Early Learning Educators

A tiered training series supports educators to develop their skills in meaningful family engagement and effective DLL classroom and program-wide strategies.

Two 4-hour Family Engagement Series

  • Exploring the impact of culture on our work with children and families
  • Cultivating strong connections with diverse families

Four 4-hour DLL Series

  • Discover me through my family
  • Embrace my family language
  • Support my dual language learning:  part 1
  • Support my dual language learning:  part 2

The ECLDI curriculum deepens teachers' understanding of the relationships among home language and culture, the development of identity and self-esteem, early learning experiences, and second language acquisition. Through our workshops, early childhood educators develop the skills to provide culturally meaningful language and literacy experiences for all children. The training series for early childhood educators include:

Workshops for Families

"Family Stories & Languages" is a 3-part workshop series for families of young dual language learners. Participants explore the link between strong roots in family language and culture and the development of a child's identity and dual language learning. Other topics include how to deepen family-teacher connections with the goal of supporting engaging school experiences for all children.

Three 2-hour Family Workshop Series

  • Discover my family treasures
  • Embracing my family language
  • Supporting my child's dual language learning

Systems Change Strategies

Family Engagement Self-Reflection Tools

ECLDI-developed resources that support early learning teachers and administrators to identify improvement areas and develop action plans to accomplish goals.

Family Cafe Implementation Network

A county-wide professional learning community that provides technical assistance for programs implementing Family Cafes, which aim to support family leadership skills and enhance school-family connections.

Friday C.A.F.E.

Monthly gatherings of family engagement professionals that support networking, spark creative thinking and provide a restorative experience for those who are engaged in services for families in San Mateo County.

Soodie Ansari

Coordinator, Early Learning Dual Language Support

Email: sansari@smcoe.org

Phone: (650) 802-5326

Karla Rodriguez

Project Specialist, Early Childhood Language Development Institute (ELSS)

Email: krodriguez@smcoe.org

Phone: (650) 802-5361