Classroom teachers interested in supporting second language acquisition and multiligualism in their classroom can consider the following questions tips:
- Compile books, audio, digital and visual materials in a variety of languages, including the home languages of your students. Feature these assets prominently throughout your classroom.
- How does your classroom community value and model language diversity and inclusion?
- How do your students express comfort with people who are both similar to and different from them and practice engaging respectfully with all people?
Additional resources for elementary educators:
The National Network for Early Language Learning provides online and in-person support for educators in early language teaching and learning.
Teaching Tolerance provides lesson plans, professional development opportunities and classroom materials tied to social justice and anti-bias.
ACTFL Language Learning in the 21st Century describes the role of the elementary language classroom and provides tips for teachers and families to advocate for world language instruction at school.
Foreign Language Association of Maine offers resources and information for Maine’s K-12 teachers of French, German, Latin, Spanish, ESL, and other languages.
International Children’s Digital Library supports children in becoming effective members of the global community, exhibit tolerance and respect for diverse cultures, languages and ideas through virtual collection.
Diverse Book Finder provides comprehensive collection of children’s picture books featuring Black and Indigenous people and People of Color (BIPOC), including multilingual books as well as a Collection Analysis Tool (CAT) tool designed to help libraries diversify their picture book collections.
International Children’s Digital Library supports children in becoming effective members of the global community, exhibit tolerance and respect for diverse cultures, languages and ideas through this virtual, open-access collection.