We empower elementary educators to promote multilingualism in their classrooms. Although our direct service work focuses on Maine classrooms, we support teachers across the US in supporting second language acquisition and multilingualism in their classrooms and districts.
- Center the home languages of your students: compile books, audio, digital and visual materials in a variety of languages other than English. Feature these assets prominently throughout your classroom.
- Talk explicitly with your students, parents and school community about the benefits of second language acquisition, language diversity, language awareness and inclusion. We support conversations about translation and access with educators and administrators.
- How do regular conversations about languages and cultures intersect with best practices in diversity, equity and inclusion? Ensure that conversations around multilingualism and world cultures include time in cross-cultural awareness.
Additional resources:
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages provides resources for world language teachers and strategies for teachers and families advocating for world language instruction.
Educators for a Multilingual Maine is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote and improve the teaching and study of world languages and cultures across the state.