CARLA Social Justice Workshop: Neurodivergent Language Learners and the Three Modes of Communication: Designing for Access and Belonging

Note: This workshop has reached full capacity. If you wish to join the waiting list, please complete the form so we can contact you at a later date if space becomes available.

Neurodivergent students often experience unique challenges in world language courses, where communication and acquisition are at the heart of learning. This workshop invites K–12 and postsecondary language educators to explore how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can transform the three modes of communication (interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational) into pathways for access and belonging. 

Participants will examine common barriers in language learning for neurodivergent students and discover practical, low-prep strategies that embrace flexibility and engagement while raising standards for our programs. Through discussion, reflection, and real-world examples, participants will have an opportunity to redesign their own interpretive, interpersonal, or presentational language tasks and assessments that affirm diverse ways of processing, expressing, and connecting.

After this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Identify how the three modes of communication (interpretive, interpersonal, presentation) create both challenges and opportunities for neurodivergent language learners;
• Explore practical strategies to implement Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles that have neurodivergent learners in mind for each mode of communication; and
• Develop an action plan to redesign one language task or assessment to promote inclusion and belonging for neurodivergent learners.
   

Instructor
Wesley Wood is a disability specialist at Georgetown University and a former K-12 Latin and French teacher. In 2022, he was named GWATFL Teacher of the Year and NECTFL finalist. Wesley was selected as a NECTFL Mead Innovation Fellow for advocating for neurodivergent learners and educators in language programs. Now at Georgetown, Wesley helps undergraduate, graduate, and medical students access disability accommodations while supporting faculty and staff in fostering more inclusive and accessible learning environments.

This workshop is sponsored by CARLA's Social Justice in Language Education initiative as part of its workshop series on the theme of adapting existing instructional materials and practices to teach for social justice. Resources from this workshop will be included on the Social Justice Thematic Resources webpage. 

Target Audience
This workshop is intended for middle school, high school, and postsecondary language educators working in the United States.

The workshop is offered free of charge to language educators within the target audience (see above) on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited.