Valuing Multilingual Learners: Creating Equitable Learning Environments

I had the educational background - a bachelor's in math and a master's in secondary ed. I was “prepared” to start teaching. Wasn’t I? It took all of one day to learn that there were some things I was simply not prepared for.

One of the hardest pedagogical practices to master as a teacher is effective differentiation. Differentiating is particularly challenging for novice educators and it was even harder for me when I learned on my very first day in the classroom that some of my students could not understand most of what I was saying. And some of these students had significant gaps in their education. 

Fortunately, I speak Spanish and was able to help some students along, but it was a daily struggle to meet every student where they were in their learning and to help each of them reach their potential. 

This is often the educational hand that multilingual learners (MLs) are dealt. They are thrown into classrooms where teachers are just doing their best to fill in the gaps. MLs are a valuable asset to our classrooms. They bring diverse perspectives, rich cultural backgrounds, and unique problem-solving skills. However, many MLs face significant challenges in accessing high-quality education from K-12 through to higher ed and beyond.

Why is Equitable Education for MLs Important?

Equitable education for multilingual learners (MLs) is important because it ensures that all students, regardless of their language background, have access to the same opportunities to learn and succeed. Here are a few reasons why it's crucial: 

• Equal Opportunities for Success: Multilingual learners have the right to reach their full potential, just like any other student. Equitable education provides them with the tools and support they need to overcome language barriers and achieve academic success.
• Closing Achievement Gaps: Without equitable education, MLs might struggle to keep up academically, leading to long-term disparities in education, career opportunities, and economic stability. Equitable practices help close these gaps.
• Promoting Inclusion and Equity: Schools that provide equitable education create an environment where all students feel respected, valued, and included. This helps to build their confidence and motivation to learn.
• Global Competence and Future Readiness: In an interconnected world, being multilingual is an asset. Equitable education ensures MLs can maintain and develop their multilingual abilities, preparing them for global opportunities.

Plus, as a bonus, when educators perceive cultural and linguistic diversity as a strength, their assets enrich the learning environment for all students! By ensuring equitable education for multilingual learners, schools not only help individual students succeed but also create a more just and inclusive society for everyone.

Barriers to High-Quality Learning for MLs

Multilingual learners often face barriers that can make it harder for them to access high-quality learning opportunities. These barriers can arise from language, culture, policies, and other systemic factors. Here are some key challenges:

• Language Barriers: Language proficiency can impact academic performance, social integration, and overall well-being.
• Cultural Differences: Misunderstandings and cultural clashes can create challenges for MLs in navigating school environments.
• Limited Support: Many schools lack adequate resources, training, and support for teachers to effectively support MLs.
• Stereotyping and Bias: Negative stereotypes and biases can limit opportunities and expectations for MLs.
• Misidentification: MLs may be incorrectly placed in special education programs or delayed in accessing advanced opportunities.
• Family Engagement Barriers: Families may struggle to communicate with teachers or navigate the school system if resources aren't available in their home language.

Strategies for Supporting MLs in the Classroom

It is important for educators to be intentional about the support they provide to their MLs. Luckily, there are many ways to capitalize on their strengths and address their unique needs. Here are some actionable ideas: 

• Create a Welcoming and Inclusive Classroom Culture: Establish a safe and supportive learning environment where all students feel valued. Without psychological safety, no one can feel free to make mistakes, learn, and grow. 
• Use Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices: Honor students' diverse backgrounds by incorporating examples, stories, and materials that reflect MLs’ cultural backgrounds and experiences. 
• Celebrate Multilingualism: Encourage students to share their languages and cultures to help create a sense of belonging. 
• Provide Effective Language Support: Use visuals and hands-on activities to enhance language comprehension as well as sentence frames, word banks, and structured conversations to practice academic language.
• Build on prior knowledge: Connect new concepts to what MLs already know so they can build on their previous understanding.
• Collaborate with Families: Build relationships with families or caregivers to support students' learning at home. Invite parents to share cultural traditions or stories and encourage them to support learning at home in their home language.
• Leverage Technology: Use technology tools to support language learning and content comprehension. Tools like Kyron Studio can help quickly create additional resources for MLs to support even when educators can’t be available 24/7.

By implementing these strategies and fostering a supportive learning environment, educators can empower MLs to reach their potential and thrive academically and socially.

Call to Action

Schools have a legal obligation to provide fair and appropriate education to all students, including MLs. Beyond that, it’s a moral imperative to treat every child with dignity and provide the resources they need to thrive. If you are feeling like I was in my first year of teaching, wondering how on earth you will ever meet the needs of the ever growing number of MLs around the country, you are not alone. Organizations like the English Language Success Forum (ELSF) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation can help. 

ELSF is committed to expanding educational equity for multilingual learners. Their mission is to increase the availability of high-quality instructional materials that emphasize the cultural and linguistic assets of these students. ELSF collaborates with researchers, educators, district leaders, and content developers to enhance the quality and accessibility of K-12 English Language Arts and mathematics materials, ensuring they are inclusive and supportive of English learners. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is providing crucial support to educational technology companies (like Kyron!) to research effective strategies to motivate and engage this incredible population of learners. 

Only by working together can we ensure that all multilingual learners have the opportunity to succeed.

See more of our Gates Foundation work here and how we approach multilingual learning.