2026 Iowa Adult Education & Literacy Conference

In this session, we will explore the foundational principles of adult learning to gain a deeper understanding of what motivates adult students. We will demonstrate how Burlington applies these principles through a practical and relevant curriculum, collaborative learning activities, and opportunities to build on learners’ experience. Participants will gain an understanding of how to foster greater student engagement, enhance learning outcomes, and support adults in achieving their language goals with a career focus. Plus, get a sneak peek of the new Burlington Workforce courses coming summer 2026!

This teaching strategy transforms the mindset on how to approach the beginning English language learner. Chris Westergaard of the Language House in Prague developed this framework in which I will demonstrate how I implement it, and I will provide applicable knowledge for other instructors to have confidence in utilizing it to help their students grow in their English language acquisition.

This session explores Academic Conversations by Jeff Zwiers and Marie Crawford as applied in a non-credit adult ELL classroom.. Participants will learn how structured academic talk can build language, confidence, and critical thinking skills for learners across all NRS levels—from pre-literate to advanced.

Through real classroom examples, the session will demonstrate how academic conversations can be differentiated to meet diverse learner needs. Attendees will leave with practical, ready-to-use activities that support meaningful student interaction, including adaptable conversation routines and scaffolds that can be implemented immediately in their own classrooms.