Elizabeth Skelton is passionate about language learning especially enhancing the achievement of English Language Learners in the United States and around the world.  As the U.S. becomes more linguistically and culturally diverse, teachers are confronted with adapting lessons to meet the needs of students who do not speak their language. Around the world, students are striving to learn English in order to communicate in international situations.  Beth believes that all learners can acquire any language effortlessly and naturally, if teachers employ methods that provide comprehensible input and structured interactions. 

Beth has been teaching German, English as a Second Language, and Spanish at many grade and ability levels since 1988.   She was a Boettcher Scholar at Colorado College graduating summa cum laude in German Language and Literature and Secondary Education.  She received her Master’s degree with distinction in Curriculum and Instruction in Multicultural Teacher Education with an emphasis on Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of New Mexico in 1994.

She has presented workshops nationally and internationally for teachers at every level on methods for enhancing language acquisition.  Her workshops consistently receive rave reviews and she has won several awards for her workshops and teaching including “Best of Conference” at the Southwest Coalition of Language Teachers conference in 1996; the Sallie Mae First Year teacher of the year award in 1989; and “Teacher of the Year” award from Highland High School in Albuquerque, NM in 1995.   Students nominated her to “Who’s Who Among American Teachers” in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2005. She is also a member of the Madison and Manchester Who's Who Executive and Professional Registry.

In 2003, Beth published Putting it Together, TPR Storytelling student and teacher materials for adult ESL students. In 2006, she created a video of her work with TPRS and companion Teachers Manual. She also published the Handbook for Teachers for the Concordia Language Villages, articles for the American Association for Teachers of German, and teaching ideas for Ballard and Tighe’s Ideas for Excellence newsletter. 

As a consultant in many districts and a teacher for extended studies courses at Adams State College, Beth has the opportunity of working with teachers and students from the  pre-K to adult level.  In addition to presenting workshops, Beth enjoys giving demonstration lessons and coaching teachers in classrooms with English Language Learners.