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Use of Students' First Languages in the Classroom

Encourage students to use their home languages when brainstorming, organizing ideas, or talking with peers.

This strategy allows students to access prior knowledge and make deeper connections to new content (Colorín Colorado, 2018).

It also reduces frustration and boosts confidence—especially for English Language Learners (ELLs) who are still developing their English skills.

Dual Language Resources

Provide materials in both English and students’ home languages where possible (e.g., books, handouts, digital tools).

This supports literacy in both languages and makes sure students understand key concepts.

Partnering with Families

Invite families to share words, stories, or traditions from their cultures.

Use home languages during parent-teacher communication when possible (Many Roots, Many Voices, 2005).

This makes families feel included and valued, and helps schools build strong, respectful relationships.

Multilingual Word Walls and Anchor Charts

Display vocabulary words in multiple languages on classroom walls.

Encourage students to contribute translations in their languages—it builds community and reinforces understanding.

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Create a Welcoming Environment

Greet students in different languages and display signs or posters in the languages spoken in your school.

Celebrate students’ identities by highlighting cultural events, stories, or heritage months.

The Teaching and Learning in Multilingual Ontario video (2022) shows examples of how schools can reflect the languages spoken in their communities.

Encourage Peer Language Support

Allow students who share a language to discuss tasks or work together on assignments in that language before presenting in English.

This gives students a chance to process information and clarify ideas without language being a barrier.

Collaborate with ESL and ELD Teachers

Work together to co-plan and differentiate instruction.

ESL teachers can help design activities that build on students’ home languages while supporting English development.

Incorporate Technology Tools

Use translation apps, multilingual eBooks, and videos with subtitles in multiple languages.

These tools make lessons more accessible and inclusive for multilingual learners.

Offer Professional Development

Educators need regular opportunities to learn about multilingual education strategies.

Schools can host workshops on dual language learning or invite guest speakers from multilingual communities.

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It means recognizing linguistic diversity as a strength, not a challenge.

Ontario is one of the most linguistically diverse provinces in Canada, with over 200 languages spoken by students and families (Teaching and Learning in Multilingual Ontario, 2022).

Teachers need to see this diversity as an asset to learning, not something to “overcome.”

It means creating space for multiple languages in schools.

Multilingual teaching doesn’t just mean translating everything—it means designing lessons that respect and include students’ languages and cultures.

For example, teachers might let students write a story in their first language, then share a summary in English.

It means equity, inclusion, and identity.

When students see their language in classroom materials or hear it spoken in school, they feel that they belong.

Valuing all languages helps students build pride in who they are and encourages academic success.

It means preparing all students—not just ELLs—for a global world.

Multilingual classrooms prepare students to communicate and collaborate across cultures, which is an important skill in today’s society.

Supporting multilingualism benefits all students, not just those learning English

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Make a MLL club at lunch for students to have somewhere to go

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Make a MLL club at lunch for students to have somewhere to go