Building Literacy with Multilingual Learners

Kristin Lems, EdD, is Professor in the ESL/Bilingual Education Program at National Louis University. A two-time Fulbright Scholar, to Algeria and Mongolia, Dr. Lems directed two 5-year grants from the Office of English Language Acquisition of the U.S. Department of Education. She is a column editor for the Illinois Reading Council Journal and has coauthored or coedited several books. Dr. Lems is a recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award from National Louis University and the Elliot Judd Outstanding Teacher Award from Illinois Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages-Bilingual Education.

Tenena M. Soro, PhD, has taught courses in linguistics, cross-cultural education, foundations, and reading at National Louis University, where he received the Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award. Dr. Soro has also taught courses in ethics and philosophy, linguistics, and social science at Columbia College Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University, and Northwestern University. Originally from Ivory Coast, he analyzed the syntax patterns of his native language, Senufo/Cibaari, for the first time in his dissertation. He has presented on linguistics and ESL topics at state and national conferences.

Gareth Charles, MEd, has taught academic English for international students at KMUTT University in Bangkok, Thailand, and has also taught high school English courses as part of the Thai government's outreach program for disadvantaged youth. In addition, Mr. Charles develops and teaches online lessons and training for Chinese education companies across Asia and and provides ESL corporate training and teaching at companies that focus on international business English. Originally from Oregon, Mr. Charles has lived in Thailand since 2007.