MARVL Language

10/28/2022

Multilingualism is a gift, however a child acquires it. Dual-language programs enables children to expand their language skills in a school setting.

Early childhood educators should support and celebrate the cultures, languages and circumstances of the children in their care.

10/26/2022

Over 7,000 languages are spoken across the world today. However, we're losing about one language a week or two. By some estimates, we'll have lost about half to 90% of the world's languages by the next century. We need more ways to document the languages we have now, especially endangered ones.

10/20/2022

Following the release of the 2022 MCAS results, school districts put emphasis on recovering learning losses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Students at all levels statewide showed declines in English scores.

Following the release of the 2022 statewide testing results, districts put emphasis on recovering learning losses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic

10/14/2022

Hands-on learning activities are a great way for ELLs to practice the material they've learned. Not only do these activities keep students engaged, but they are reinforcing their knowledge in the process.

10/12/2022

Does the language we speak shape the way we think? Scientists like Lera Boroditsky say yes it does. Languages affect our cognitive abilities, how we think about time, math, divide the color spectrum, describe events, and have all kinds of structural quirks.

Also, studies show emotions and feelings play a more active role when speaking and thinking in one's native language. But, not so with foreign languages. People tend to think more logically when speaking in a foreign language.

We find languages interesting. Do you?

10/10/2022

“I want my teacher to know I’m smart in Swahili,” Esther said in response to the question “What do you want your teacher to know about you?”

It is important educators "gather data to evaluate and assess each learner, to deeply understand their abilities across languages, and to plan strategies to provide instruction so all students can learn."

“I want my teacher to know I’m smart in Swahili,” one student wrote, changing the future of this teacher’s practice.

10/07/2022

In Tennessee, educators work to improve dismal literacy rates statewide, especially in regards to the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program. ELLs bear the most brunt: 85% of Tennessee's ELLs perform below grade level in both math and English last school year.

Educators have to deal with lack of resources unfortunately. Tennessee’s largest school district, for example, does not currently offer any bilingual pre-K classes. And only one school — Treadwell Elementary — has a dual language program, which serves 200 students, according to Chalkbeat's Samantha West.

You can read more here: https://bit.ly/3MgSkGw

10/05/2022

Today, we honor and pay respect to the teachers who continue to play important roles in our lives.

09/29/2022

Language diversity often goes uncelebrated in today’s classrooms. It’s important for schools to be thoughtful and capitalize on students’ strengths – rather than condemning student differences.

“These children are often highly intelligent and highly motivated. The language is a barrier, not their intellectual capacity.” — Kenneth Patterson, teacher leader at Woodmoor Elementary School in Baltimore, MD.

09/27/2022

Successful literacy instruction for ELs results when ELs build upon their prior knowledge, capitalize on opportunities for cross-linguistic transfer, and receive academic language and literacy instruction that is comprehensible. — The Family Learning Company

09/22/2022

A recent study provides a potential solution for closing pandemic-related learning gaps: mastery learning. Khan Academy's Chief Learning Officer recommends that schools allow for more flexibility when scheduling pacing guides and reevaluate the meaning of grades, two ways to implement mastery learning in classrooms.

A recent study by Khan Academy provides another potential solution for closing pandemic-related learning gaps.

09/15/2022

Acknowledging and bolstering our students multilingual competencies as part of classroom lessons significantly uplifts students, their families, and entire communities at large.

Many Americans of indigenous ancestry from Latin America who may report as ‘Hispanic’ speak non-colonial languages such as Nahuatl, Mixtec, Kʼiche/Quiche, Mam, Kichwa, Quechua, Aymara and others. The right to speak one’s own language is a primary tenet of the UN Decade of Indigenous Languages, 2022–32. Yet in many schools, this still remains an aspiration.