Meaning-Focused ESOL Grammar Instruction (MEGI) 

With the support of the Department of Youth and Community Development, the Literacy Assistance Center plans to offer the Meaning-Focused ESOL Grammar Instruction (MEGI) cohort at no cost  to all participants selected for 2026. The cohort is only open to applicants currently working or volunteering in DYCD-funded organizations.

Join the Meaning-Focused ESOL Grammar Instruction Cohort and learn:

  • Communicative strategies for presenting new grammar that center students’ experiences and immediately let you know if your students are “getting it”.
  • Brain-friendly systems that explain some of the most daunting and chaotic aspects of English grammar (e.g. when to use gerunds vs. infinitives, articles, prepositions, irregular verbs etc.)
  • Basics of English grammar - especially useful for new teachers who may know when something sounds grammatically correct, but not why.

Dates (all are in person)
  • Fridays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, (9:30 - 1:30 pm)
  • Friday, December 18 (9:30 - 1:30 pm)
Location: WeWork 160 Varick Street, Room 3A

What you can expect from this cohort: 
  • Hands-on sessions: Participants will get clarity on “crazy” parts of English grammar and get classroom-ready activities that they can use with their students.
  • Personalized coaching opportunities: Via Zoom, participants will meet one-on-one with the facilitator. Step one - meet to co-plan a grammar lesson; Step two (in person) - a class visit where the facilitator observes the grammar lesson; Step three - meet again to reflect on the lesson.
  • Practical strategies for real-world teaching challenges: Participants will gain new clarity about common aspects of English grammar that are most likely to stump learners and teachers alike.
  • Peer learning and collaboration: Participants will have ample opportunities to learn from their peers - sharing what has worked, what questions they have, and working together to design dynamic and engaging grammar lessons.

Participant Expectations
To receive a certificate in this cohort, participants must attend all in-person sessions, and complete all required activities and assignments. One component of the course will be developing and implementing a lesson plan with their ESOL learners.

Admission Requirements
  • Admission to this program is by application and is open only to individuals currently working or volunteering in DYCD-funded programs.

Instructor Bio 

William Linn is the ESOL Specialist and Coordinator of ESOL Certificate Programs at the Literacy Assistance Center. In addition to leading ESOL professional development and curriculum design projects, he has co-facilitated the LAC’s Teaching English as a Second Language to Adults (TESLA) course, the Foundations of Adult Education course, and the Teaching English to Adults with Limited Literacy (TEALL) course. William has also taught English Applied Linguistics at the SIT Graduate Institute where he received his MA in TESOL in 2011. Will holds a certificate in Compassionate Communication for Language Teachers from the Institute for Collaborative Learning in Costa Rica. He started teaching ESOL at community-based organizations in 2008 and became a licensed ESOL teacher educator in 2015.


To learn more about the content of the MEGI cohort, please contact William Linn at [email protected].

Apply to MEGI

Due to anticipated high demand, early application is encouraged.