The benefits of multilingualism

Term Definition

bilingual Able to use two languages.

buddy system A class management system where more advanced learners

help learners who need more support.

code-switching Alternating between different languages; This might be

because they do not know a word/phrase in one language or
prefer to express an idea better in another language.

compound bilingualism / The simultaneous learning of two languages in the same

additive bilingualism environment and context (e.g. a child with parents who speak
different languages).

co-ordinate bilingualism / The simultaneous learning of two languages in separate

subtractive bilingualism environments (e.g. school and home).

critical thinking Thinking that produces new and innovative ideas and solves
problems.

dialect A variety of a language, with distinct features of

pronunciation, grammar and/or word choice, for example,
Cockney (from an area of London) or Jamaican English.

dominant language The language that is strongest (for a user of multiple

languages).

English Medium Education where a subject, e.g. maths, is taught in English,

Instruction (EMI) despite not being the learners’ first language.

home language The language that a learner speaks at home, sometimes

called the mother tongue.

inclusive teaching A range of teaching strategies that allow all learners in a

class to receive the support they need to participate
regardless of their background, language, ability or other
differences.

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 indigenous language A language that is native to a region, which may or may not
be an official language, and could be a minority language,
e.g. Quechua in Peru.

linguistic hierarchy The status held by each of a country’s languages, depending

on how they are valued by that society. The language at the
top of the hierarchy is often associated with government, law
and education.

monolingual Able to use just one language.

multilingual Able to use three or more languages.

multilingual classroom A class where a variety of languages are spoken.

official language A language with special legal status and is used by the
government, in administration, the health service, education
and law.

polylingual Proficient in multiple languages.

scaffold Provide additional support which enables learners to do

something.

subordinate bilingualism The learning of a second language as an adult, with learning

affected by their mother tongue.

target language Specific language items that the teacher chooses to focus on
during a lesson.

transcultural Communication between people from different cultural and

communication linguistic backgrounds.

translanguaging The planned use of two languages in the classroom; perhaps

one part of the lesson being conducted in one language and
the other part in another.

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The benefits of multilingualism

The following links and resources explore the areas discussed in this module in more detail:

Heugh, Kathleen, et.al (2019) Using multilingual approaches: moving from theory to
practice. A resource book of strategies, activities and projects for the classroom. British
Council.

Article about 2020 recommendations by the National Education Policy (NEP) of India.

Read about ‘The Teaching for All project’ - teaching inclusively in diverse contexts.

A webinar recording with Osman Solmaz looking at the concept of Linguistic Landscapes.

Kerryn Dixon Seven reasons for teachers to welcome home languages in education.

Article exploring multilingualism in the context of storytelling

Edutopia article: Supporting Multilingual Learners in Hybrid Classrooms

Edutopia article: Supporting Multilingual Students in the Early Grades

Edutopia article: How School Leaders Can Boost Students’ Sense of Belonging

MTE-MLE Teaching resources developed and shared by Dr. Susan Malone

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