Strategies for Supporting Multilingual Learners in the Classroom

With years of experience as an educational consultant, I've seen how multilingual learners enrich our classrooms with new perspectives, cultures, and languages. But without intentional support, these students can face challenges that limit their academic success. Supporting multilingual learners (MLs) isn't just about language—it's about building an inclusive environment where every student feels valued, capable, and empowered to thrive.

Who Are Multilingual Learners?

Multilingual learners are students who are developing proficiency in two or more languages. Some may be learning the language of instruction for the first time, while others might already be bilingual or multilingual before entering the classroom.

Why Supporting MLs Matters

• Equity in Learning: Every student deserves access to a rigorous, meaningful education.

• Academic Growth: Strong language support allows students to fully engage with challenging content.

• Cultural Enrichment: MLs bring valuable global perspectives that benefit the entire school community.

• Future-Ready Skills: Multilingualism is an asset in today's interconnected world.

  
  

A 2023 report from WIDA (World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment) found that classrooms implementing multilingual learner supports saw not only improved academic outcomes for MLs, but also a more inclusive environment that benefited all students.

How to Support Multilingual Learners

1. Use Visual Supports to Strengthen Understanding

Visuals make complex ideas more accessible, especially when students are still building language skills.

• Pair written text with images, graphs, or diagrams.

• Use anchor charts and word walls throughout the classroom.

  
  

Tip: Pre-teach essential vocabulary with pictures before diving into academic discussions.

2. Activate Background Knowledge

Connect new learning to students' existing experiences, even if they come from different cultural or educational contexts.

• Ask open-ended questions about what students already know about a topic.

• Integrate culturally relevant examples into lessons.

  
  

Real-World Example: At a school I supported in Arizona, students launched a "Culture Connect" project—sharing traditions and histories that tied into social studies units. Engagement and comprehension jumped across all student groups, not just multilingual learners.

3. Provide Language Scaffolds

Give students tools to participate meaningfully as they build language skills.

• Offer sentence starters like "I noticed that…" or "In my opinion…".

• Create word banks for writing tasks and discussions.

  
  

Why It Works: Language scaffolds lower the barrier to entry while keeping expectations high.

4. Offer Multiple Ways to Show Learning

Assessment should be flexible enough to capture a student's understanding, not just their English proficiency.

• Allow students to present ideas through visuals, oral explanations, or creative projects.

• Use rubrics that focus on content understanding as well as language use.

  
  

Tip: Choice boards or project menus can give students options based on their strengths.

5. Create a Welcoming, Inclusive Classroom Culture

Students learn best when they feel safe, valued, and connected.

• Celebrate linguistic diversity with multilingual displays, greetings, and activities.

• Pair MLs with peer buddies for collaborative projects.

  
  

Tip: Simple gestures—like saying "hello" in multiple languages—can make a huge impact on a student's sense of belonging.

Final Thoughts

Supporting multilingual learners isn't about lowering standards—it's about expanding pathways to success. Small strategies, such as visual scaffolding, flexible assessments, and honouring students' diverse backgrounds, can dramatically change a student's trajectory.

When we build classrooms where every language and culture is seen as an asset, we're not just helping multilingual learners succeed—we're preparing all students to thrive in a global society.

Ready to start strengthening your classroom support for multilingual learners? A few small shifts can make a lasting difference.

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Don't let your school blend into the crowd. With a clear strategy and expert guidance, you can create an inclusive, standout school community that excels academically and earns recognition. Let's chat today to start building a legacy of excellence.