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.

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.

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