Description
Classrooms are turning multi-ethnic and multicultural more and more. However, many schoolteachers still lack the knowledge and skills to support multilingual learners.
As a consequence, multilingual learners risk falling behind their peers in their learning progression, and school teachers often feel frustrated with managing a classroom with highly divergent learning needs.
The course will propose a solution to teachers in these conditions. It will provide schoolteachers with relevant knowledge and practical strategies to support multilingual learners in their classrooms.
During the course, participants will learn about the benefits of multilingualism, the linguistic and cultural needs of multilingual learners, and strategies for creating inclusive and equitable learning environments.
They will also realize what are the different types of multilingual learners, how to assess their language proficiency, and how to differentiate instruction for multilingual learners.
Additionally, participants will learn how to implement effective strategies for supporting the development of students’ home language and promoting bilingualism.
By the end of the course, participants will have a better understanding of the linguistic and cultural needs of multilingual learners, and how to create inclusive and equitable learning environments for multilingual learners.
Learning outcomes
The course will help the participants to:
- Discover the benefits of multilingualism;
- Understand the linguistic and cultural needs of multilingual learners;
- Assess the language proficiency and type of multilingual learners;
- Develop strategies for creating inclusive and equitable learning environments for multilingual learners;
- Apply effective strategies for supporting the development of students’ home language and promoting bilingualism;
- Respect and value cultural and linguistic diversity;
- Differentiate instruction for multilingual learners;
- Share and learn best practices and strategies from other European countries in promoting multilingualism in the classroom.
Tentative schedule
Day 1 – Introduction to promoting Multilingualism in the classroom
- Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
- Icebreaker activities;
- Presentations of the participants’ schools;
- Understanding the benefits of multilingualism and the linguistic and cultural needs of multilingual learners;
- Group discussion and activities on identifying multilingual learners in the classroom.
Day 2 – Creating inclusive learning environments
- Assessing the language proficiency of multilingual learners;
- Strategies for creating inclusive and equitable learning environments for multilingual learners;
- Group discussion and activities on differentiating instruction for multilingual learners.
Day 3 – Supporting the development of students’ home language
- Supporting the development of students’ home language and promoting bilingualism;
- Understanding and valuing cultural and linguistic diversity;
- Group discussion and activities on involving families and the community in supporting multilingual learners.
Day 4 – Strategies for promoting multilingualism in the classroom
- Best practices and strategies from other European countries in promoting multilingualism in the classroom;
- Planning for the next steps and creating an action plan;
- Group discussion and activities on how to implement strategies for supporting multilingual learners in the classroom.
Day 5 – Implementing strategies for promoting multilingualism
- Review of the week’s topics and discussion on how to implement them in practice;
- Sharing best practices and strategies among participants;
- Final reflections and evaluations, sharing feedback and suggestions for improvement.
Day 6 – Course closure and cultural activities
- Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
- Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
- Excursion and other external cultural activities.