It has been a busy couple of weeks with news and resources from educators, researchers, and policy makers. In this edition of What We're Reading - the bilingual brain, dual-language programs, funding higher education for ELLs, and much more.

Click on the links below to learn more and share on social media using #ELLReads!

Teaching and Learning

• From Newsweek, Kashmira Garden discusses what happens in the bilingual brain when you flip between languages, and it may surprise you.

• In a piece featured in Language Magazine, Patricia Hanson shares a thorough list of tips for classroom success for teachers working with ELLs. 

• From Penn State News, Jim Carlson reports on Dr. Amy Crosson's research exploring how we might improve dual-language learners' reading comprehension skills. 

Policy and Practice

• Education Week's Corey Mitchell has released a five part series on dual-language learning. You can access all of them from this article spotlighting a former principal's advice for launching and strengthening dual-language programs. 

• The New York Times contributor Sabrina Tavernise reports that the U.S. has the highest foreign-born population share since 1910, with many coming from Asian countries.

• In a piece featured in Multibriefs, Erick Herrmann discusses the many labels we use to classify students (including ELLs) and asks whether they are helpful or harmful.

• From the Pew Research Center, Jens Manuel Krogstad and Jynnah Radford report that education levels of U.S. immigrants are rising. They point to several factors to explain.

• In a blog post from New America, Ingrid T. Colón analyzes students' perceptions about the Seal of Biliteracy, which is currently offered in 33 states. 

• From Education Week, Corey Mitchell reports on a bill introduced by Senator Catherine Cortez Mastro of Nevada that addresses the national shortage of teachers who work with ELLs. 

ELL Spotlight

• From Forbes, Vivian Nunez highlights the work of Sarahi Espinoza Salamanca, who created an app that helps undocumented students find ways to pay for college - it has helped over 20,000 students so far.

• From Coastal View, Christian Beamish highlights the benefits of Carpinteria Unified School District's (CA) dual language immersion program one year into its implementation.

• The Rio Grande Guardian's Steve Taylor reports on Pharr-San Juan Alamo ISD's (TX) success with dual language programs and highlights what they have done to achieve it. 

• Study International discusses four of the craziest rules in the English Language. ELLs and their teachers will appreciate these!

If you prefer taking in your news through video, check out the latest edition of Ellevation's Whiteboard Wednesday for ELL news and resources in less than 5 minutes.