Jessica Burchett, OWLA Multilingual Learning Chair
Spanish Teacher, Marion City Schools

As a world language teacher, you have the unique opportunity to support multilingual learners, particularly those who are English Learners (ELs). While your primary role is to teach the language you specialize in, your skills as a world language teacher can be incredibly valuable in helping students navigate both language acquisition and academic success. Even though you’re focused on teaching a second language, your understanding of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and the way language functions can also play a huge role in supporting ELs, especially those with a background in a language you’re teaching.

To begin, one of the most effective ways to support multilingual learners is to develop your language awareness skills. You already break down the mechanics of a language—things like grammar rules, vocabulary building, and pronunciation—which are skills that translate well when it comes to helping students acquire English as well. You’re already teaching your students to think about how language works, which is a huge advantage for their overall language development, whether that’s in your classroom or when they’re learning English.

Creating a welcoming and safe environment is another area where you can make a significant difference. World language classrooms often emphasize risk-taking, communication, and making mistakes, which are critical for ELs who may feel self-conscious or afraid to speak up. By encouraging a classroom culture where students are comfortable experimenting with language, you create a space where students feel safe trying out new words and phrases without the fear of judgment. This is especially helpful for multilingual learners who may feel the pressure of mastering a new language.

Another way to support your students is to encourage language transfer. When students learn a new language, they often rely on their native language to make sense of the new one. You can point out similarities between the language you’re teaching and English, or explain the differences in clear, simple terms to avoid confusion. By understanding how language transfer works, you can help students build bridges between the two languages in ways that help them better grasp both.

Collaboration with ESL or general education teachers is key, too. By working together and sharing strategies and insights about students’ strengths and challenges, you can help ensure that your multilingual learners are supported across all subjects, not just in the world language classroom. This kind of teamwork ensures that students have a consistent, well-rounded approach to language learning, whether they’re picking up vocabulary in your class or tackling academic tasks in other subjects.

When it comes to differentiating instruction, especially if you have multilingual learners whose first language is the same as the one you’re teaching, it’s important to assess their language proficiency first. Just because students speak the language at home doesn’t mean they’ve mastered all the formal aspects of it, like reading, writing, or academic vocabulary. For these students, you can offer more challenging tasks, such as reading advanced texts, writing in-depth narratives, or discussing topics that go beyond basic conversations. This approach will help them grow without being bogged down by material that’s too easy for them.

Using culturally relevant materials is another effective way to differentiate instruction. By incorporating texts, stories, and media that reflect the students’ own linguistic and cultural backgrounds, you validate their experiences while helping them deepen their language skills. Strengthening students’ language skills can serve to build their confidence and help them see their own language as a strength rather than something they need to leave behind. At the same time, it’s important to honor their cultural identity by including a variety of perspectives within the language you’re teaching, whether it’s through literature, music, or history.

Finally, try to avoid making assumptions about your multilingual learners. Some students may not be literate in their first language, or they may only use it informally at home, so it’s crucial not to assume they don’t need language instruction. And while it may be tempting to rely on bilingual students to translate for others, this can be unfair and distracting. Instead, find ways to use their bilingualism to strengthen their overall language skills, encouraging them to make cross-language comparisons and celebrating the richness of being multilingual.

By embracing these strategies, you can help multilingual learners thrive not just in your language classroom, but across all areas of their education. Your role is vital in supporting their growth, and by recognizing and utilizing the strengths they bring to class, you’re setting them up for success in ways that will benefit them for years to come.