Whether you teach English as a New Language (ENL) or a content subject like math, science, or social studies, you’ll soon be hearing more about WIDA’s English Language Development (ELD) resources. These tools are designed to help us better understand and support multilingual learners (MLLs/ELLs) in every classroom.
This post breaks down what WIDA ELD resources are, what they do, and how they can make a difference in our teaching — without the complicated jargon.
What Are WIDA ELD Resources?
WIDA ELD resources focus on what multilingual learners can do as they develop English in the four key language domains: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.
These resources help teachers plan lessons, assess student progress, and support language growth alongside academic learning.
All WIDA ELD tools are connected through the WIDA ELD Standards Framework, which gives educators a clear structure for teaching and assessing language development in meaningful, content-based ways.
The Four Main Areas of WIDA ELD Resources
WIDA organizes its work into four main areas: Assess,
Teach, Grow, and Research.
Here’s what each one means in plain language:
1. Assess
WIDA provides several assessments to measure how students are developing their English skills.
- WIDA Screener: Used to identify new English learners when they enter school.
- WIDA ACCESS (Grades 1–12) and ACCESS for Kindergarten: Annual assessments that measure English growth.
- Alternate ACCESS: For students with significant cognitive disabilities.
- WIDA MODEL: Optional assessment to check progress during the year.
Students receive proficiency level scores from 1 (beginner) to 6 (proficient) in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. These scores help teachers understand what each student can do and what support they need next.
2. Teach
WIDA’s approach to teaching emphasizes what students can do, not just what they can’t yet do.
Teachers use tools such as:
- The WIDA ELD Standards Framework, which connects language development to academic content.
- The Can Do Descriptors, which describe what students at each proficiency level can handle in English.
WIDA encourages collaboration among all educators — ENL teachers, content teachers, and support staff — to create a language-rich classroom for every learner.
3. Grow
WIDA also supports teachers’ professional growth through many types of learning opportunities:
- Online courses and webinars
- In-person and virtual workshops
- State-specific training sessions
- Free resources, videos, and toolkits on the WIDA website
These opportunities help educators deepen their understanding of language development and learn practical strategies to apply in their classrooms.
4. Research
WIDA doesn’t just create teaching tools — it also conducts research to improve them.
Their team studies language development and assessment data
to make sure all WIDA materials stay current and effective.
They publish findings through resources like:
- Focus Bulletins
- Snapshots
- Research reports and working papers
This ongoing research helps WIDA update its standards and assessments based on the latest evidence from classrooms and multilingual learners around the world.
Why This Matters
The WIDA ELD resources help teachers move from thinking about testing to thinking about growth.
They give us a common language for understanding students’ English development — so we can plan lessons that meet students where they are and help them move forward.
Whether you teach language or content, WIDA’s framework reminds us that every teacher is a language teacher.
Final Thoughts
WIDA’s ELD resources are all about empowerment — for
students and for teachers.
They help us see what multilingual learners can do, build on their strengths,
and create opportunities for them to succeed in every subject.
If you want to explore these resources yourself, WIDA offers many free materials and training opportunities on their website.
Visit wida.wisc.edu to learn more about WIDA’s standards, assessments, and professional learning.
Source
WIDA. (2025). Introduction to WIDA ELD Resources. University of Wisconsin–Madison, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. Retrieved from https://wida.wisc.edu/sites/default/files/Website/About/Consortium/Introduction-WIDA-ELD-Resources.pdf