An Asset-Based Approach to Multilingualism

Multilingualism refers to the ability to speak and understand multiple languages. In today’s interconnected world, it’s more than a skill—it’s a necessity. Schools are increasingly diverse, with students coming from various linguistic and cultural backgrounds. This diversity brings a wealth of languages into the classroom, making multilingualism an everyday reality for many teachers and pupils. However, the challenge lies in how schools approach this diversity. Instead of viewing multiple languages as a barrier to learning, embracing them as an asset can significantly enrich the classroom environment.

Assets, Not Obstacles

When students speak languages other than the dominant language of instruction, they may be seen as needing extra support to ‘catch up’. This deficit-based approach overlooks the cognitive, social, and cultural benefits of being multilingual. Moreover, research demonstrates that multilingual students often have better comprehension outcomes when their mother tongue is leveraged in the classroom. When schools fail to embrace multilingualism, they miss out on these benefits and risk marginalising students who speak multiple languages.

Shifting to an Asset-Based Approach

Schools that are truly harnessing the power of multilingualism, adopt an asset-based approach, which recognises and values students' linguistic diversity. This means using tools and strategies that not only support language learning but also celebrate and incorporate students’ home languages into the classroom. For example, incorporating multilingual resources and activities into the curriculum can help all students appreciate and learn from each other’s languages.

How can Giglets help?

A Multilingual Library

The Giglets library includes a wealth of multilingual texts and stories from diverse cultures worldwide, designed to enhance student engagement and foster a love of reading. By offering texts in both the students' native and target languages, Giglets helps support new language acquisition, celebrate linguistic roots and bridge the gap between home and school language environments. This approach not only fosters effective learning but also creates more inclusive classroom experiences.

Enhancing Language Learning

Giglets goes beyond simply offering multilingual texts; it focuses on using these texts to enhance language learning. Students can listen to stories read aloud in their target language, which helps improve their listening skills and pronunciation. The platform’s features, like the shared highlighting tool, provide crucial vocabulary support, making it easier for students to master the nuances of a new language. These features are especially beneficial for English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners, giving them the support they need to excel.

Celebrating Cultural Diversity

One of Giglets’ greatest strengths lies in its commitment to celebrating cultural diversity. The platform includes stories from a wide range of cultures, providing students with the opportunity to learn about and appreciate different cultural perspectives. Celebrating cultural diversity is particularly important in multilingual classrooms, where students may feel disconnected from their cultural heritage. By including culturally relevant texts, Giglets ensures that all students see themselves reflected in the curriculum. This not only enhances engagement but also fosters a sense of belonging and pride in their linguistic and cultural identity.

Preparing Global Citizens

Giglets cultivates students' global perspective by delivering a variety of languages and cultures that encourage them to see beyond their immediate environment. This not only enhances their linguistic abilities but also equips them with the competencies and skills needed in today’s diverse and interconnected society. Giglets supports teachers to develop the next generation of global citizens, equipped with the linguistic and cultural skills they need, while keeping reading and literacy outcomes at the heart of your school’s practice. Ready to transform your school's approach to multilingual education? Contact us today to speak with one of our friendly team members who can provide more details on implementing Giglets and how it can benefit your school.