#27: Secrets to Supporting Multilingual Learners
Every year, more and more multilingual learners join elementary classrooms, bringing rich linguistic and cultural diversity. But with this diversity comes the challenge of ensuring they feel supported, confident, and successful in their learning journey.
If you’ve ever wondered how to best support students who are learning English while keeping up with classroom instruction, you’re not alone. In this post, we’ll uncover practical, science-backed strategies to help multilingual learners thrive.
Understanding Multilingual Learners: A Strength-Based Approach
Before diving into strategies, it’s important to understand that being multilingual is an asset, not a barrier. Research shows that maintaining a child’s home language while acquiring a new one enhances cognitive development and academic success.
Instead of viewing multilingual learners as students who need to “catch up,” we should recognize their ability to navigate multiple languages as a strength. Using terms like emergent bilingual learners rather than “English language learners” (ELLs) reflects this positive perspective.
Key Strategies for Supporting Multilingual Learners
1. Delay Writing Until They’re Ready
Multilingual learners acquire language in stages: thinking, speaking, then writing. Writing should not be the first expectation, as it is often the most challenging skill to develop. Instead:
- Encourage verbal responses before requiring written ones.
- Allow alternative ways to demonstrate understanding, such as oral presentations or visual projects.
- Use dictation tools or paired writing exercises to reduce stress.
2. Use Predictable Pacing and Clear Speech
When a student is new to English, it can be difficult to distinguish where one word ends and another begins. You can support them by:
- Speaking slightly slower than usual, without exaggerating.
- Using clear and predictable phrasing.
- Reinforcing spoken words with gestures, facial expressions, and visuals.
3. Provide Opportunities for Frequent, Low-Stress Conversation
Emergent bilinguals need ample opportunities to hear and practice English in meaningful contexts. The best way to accelerate language acquisition is by encouraging authentic conversations. Try:
- Turn and Talk: Have students discuss answers with a partner before sharing with the whole class.
- Think-Pair-Share: Give students time to process a question, then discuss with a partner before sharing aloud.
- Sentence Stems: Offer structured sentence starters to support participation (e.g., “I noticed that…”).
4. Use Visuals, Gestures, and Nonverbal Cues
Students benefit greatly from multisensory input, which reinforces meaning without relying solely on words. Support their understanding by:
- Pointing to objects or images while speaking.
- Using gestures to accompany new vocabulary.
- Incorporating graphic organizers and picture-based anchor charts.
5. Celebrate Their Progress and Background
Language learning requires bravery and resilience. To boost confidence and motivation:
- Celebrate small milestones in their language development.
- Encourage them to share words from their home language.
- Incorporate culturally relevant materials and stories.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
- Why multilingual learners should be viewed as assets, not challenges.
- The stages of language acquisition and how to support each phase.
- Practical strategies to create a welcoming, inclusive classroom environment.
- How to use visuals, gestures, and conversation to aid comprehension.
- The importance of celebrating students’ linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Bringing It All Together
Supporting multilingual learners isn’t about making them fit into a rigid system; it’s about creating an environment where they can thrive. By using simple but effective strategies—like adjusting pacing, encouraging conversation, and valuing students’ linguistic backgrounds—you can empower your multilingual learners to succeed.
Want more guidance on research-backed literacy strategies? Join The Science of Reading Formula to gain access to expert training and resources designed for K-2 teachers. Click here to enroll!.
LINKS
“Throw Your Tooth on the Roof” Book
Watch the Complete Multilingual Training with Dr. Lillian Ardell on the Science of Reading Formula
Become a Science of Reading Formula member!
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