Multilingual Magic for Linguistic Empowerment

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 ⬥ 9:30 AM – 10:20 PM
Presented by Melissa Henning

Session Description:

Unlock your multilingual learners’ potential with cutting-edge tools and strategies. Discover how to create inclusive and engaging environments that enhance fluency and comprehension. Transform your teaching, amplify student voices, and bridge language gaps. Join this session to revolutionize multilingual education.

Download a PDF copy of the slides here.

Resource Materials:

In this Resource Materials section, you will find reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information that will help you review or extend your knowledge from the presentation.

Resources from TeachersFirst

Articles

Mentioned During the Session

Videos

In-the-Classroom:

Our In-the-Classroom section is where you will find ideas and examples for integrating the tools shared into classroom instruction.

Category: Translation & Communication 

Translation Strategies:

  • Use translation tools for important documents like IEPs, report cards, and school policies. AI may not always be perfect, but there are some good tools out there. 
  • Create a library of commonly used documents already translated into your school’s primary languages
  • Use visual aids, diagrams, and pictures alongside text to support comprehension across language barriers

Communication Strategies:

  • Send communications home in families’ native languages whenever possible, and provide advance notice for meetings so families can arrange interpreters if needed. 
  • Use clear, jargon-free language and avoid educational acronyms that may not translate well
  • Offer multiple communication channels—written notes, phone calls, text messages, and video calls—to meet different family preferences

Category: Visual & Content Creation 

Visual Supports for Instruction:

  • Display word walls with pictures, cognates (words similar across languages), and translations to build vocabulary
  • Use color-coding systems to highlight key information, text structures, or grammatical patterns

Multimedia and Technology Tools:

  • Integrate videos with subtitles or captions in multiple languages to support comprehension
  • Leverage text-to-speech and speech-to-text tools to support reading and writing
  • Create digital vocabulary journals with images, audio pronunciations, and student-generated examples

Content Creation Opportunities:

  • Encourage students to create bilingual books, posters, or presentations that showcase their home language as an asset
  • Provide choice boards that offer various ways to show understanding—comic strips, models, art, video demonstrations, skits, digital slideshows, or annotated drawings

Category: Assessment & Feedback 

Alternative Assessment Methods:

  • Offer choice in how students demonstrate their learning (visual presentation, video, model, diagram, or oral defense)
  • Implement performance-based assessments that evaluate content knowledge rather than solely English language proficiency

Assessment Accommodations:

  • Provide extended time for multilingual learners to process questions and formulate responses
  • Read test questions aloud or provide audio versions to support reading comprehension
  • Break longer assessments into smaller chunks to reduce cognitive load

Ongoing Formative Assessment:

  • Use quick checks like thumbs up/down, exit tickets with sentence frames, or visual response cards to gauge understanding
  • Use digital tools like Kahoot, Wayground, or Nearpod that provide immediate feedback and allow for visual/interactive responses

Effective Feedback Strategies:

  • Focus feedback on content and ideas first, then address language development as a separate element
  • Provide feedback in multiple modalities—written, verbal conferences, visual annotations, or recorded audio/video comments

Category: Collaboration & Community Building 

Creating an Inclusive Classroom Culture & Community Building:

  • Celebrate linguistic diversity by displaying “Welcome” signs, classroom labels, and student work in multiple languages
  • Share positive narratives about bilingualism as a cognitive asset and valuable skill, not a deficit
  • Use literature, music, and art from diverse cultures to build connections and validate students’ identities

Collaborative Activities That Build Community:

  • Use icebreakers and team-building activities that don’t rely heavily on verbal English proficiency
  • Incorporate collaborative art projects, music, drama, or movement activities that transcend language barriers
  • Plan service-learning projects where students work together toward a common goal in the community

Return to the Pete&C 2026 Session Listings Page