kids talking in class

Building Inclusive English Language Learning Pathways in Brooks and the County of Newell

A Community-Driven, Research-Informed Initiative Supporting Multilingual Learners in Rural Alberta.

About the Initiative

Brooks and the County of Newell, Alberta is home to a vibrant and growing multilingual community. The Transliteracies Lab is launching a community-driven language based research initiative to support English language learning across K-12 settings, building on the proven methodology of our Critically Engaged Language and Literacy Workshops (CELLWs). 

In partnership with the University of Calgary's Werklund School of Education and local stakeholders, this project is dedicated to capacity building in multilingual pedagogy, providing pedagogical support, and creating sustainable frameworks where participants act as co-researchers in developing educational solutions. 

kids on computer

Our Approach

We employ participatory, arts-based and digital methodologies to create collaborative spaces where educators, families, and community members:

  • Co-create knowledge through storytelling and multimodal expression
  • Develop pedagogical strategies through professional learning communities
  • Design instructional scaffolding and language supports
  • Build sustainable frameworks for ongoing educational improvement

Research Focus

Central Question

“How can a community-driven, research-informed approach address the challenges and enhance the pedagogical strategies and outcomes for K–12 English language learners in rural Alberta?”

 

Key Objectives

  1. Enhance Teaching Capacity Using professional development sessions and collaborative planning to strengthen instructional approaches for multilingual learners.
  2. Develop Responsive Pedagogies Through design labs and workshop models, generating concrete, evidence-based practices that improve language teaching and learning.
  3. Create Sustainable Frameworks Building systems for ongoing support, resource sharing, and professional growth among educators.
  4. Inform Educational Pathways Translating findings into actionable strategies that guide instructional practice and program development.

 

Expected Impact

This project focuses on building educational capacity through research-informed practices that are:

  • Sustainable - developing local expertise and ongoing support systems
  • Evidence-Based - grounded in proven pedagogical approaches
  • Transformative - creating meaningful improvements in teaching and learning

 

Community Collaboration

This initiative builds on established relationships with Grasslands Public Schools and community partners in Brooks and the County of Newell, with a focus on supporting educators through professional development, resource development, and collaborative planning.

This initiative was formally announced through a partnership between the University of Calgary and JBS Canada. 

This project builds on our established work with Critically Engaged Language and Literacy Workshops and represents our ongoing commitment to research that strengthens educational practice.

Learn More About CELLWs