Helping Teachers Reach
Adolescent English Learners

WestEd's Quality Teaching for English Learners (QTEL) is a unique professional development initiative. Instead of simplifying the curriculum and lowering expectations for English language learners, QTEL offers an academic framework rich in intellectual challenge along with high-level support.

The QTEL approach of providing high-challenge, high-support learning opportunities develops teacher expertise and raises student achievement.

Academically rigorous though it is, teachers find the QTEL approach classroom friendly and pragmatic. Because it is grounded in sociocultural learning theory (the Zone of Proximal Development and scaffolding theory are key), teachers experience QTEL as a coherent, compelling way to work with students. They learn concrete ways to challenge and support their English language learners — and they understand why those strategies make sense.

Principles of Success

Five principles guide QTEL's work with and on behalf of teachers and students:

• Sustain Academic Rigor
• Hold High Expectations
• Engage in Quality Teacher and Student Interactions
• Sustain a Language Focus
• Develop a Quality Curriculum

These principles reflect the QTEL belief that teacher and student development is a consequence of (and not a prerequisite for) carefully planned opportunities to participate in meaningful and demanding academic activity with others. more »