Duolingo’s Post

Hello, LinkedIn family! We all know how crucial parent involvement is for student success. But, let's get real, engaging parents at the high school level is hard, and engaging non-English speaking parents is a different story. I’m curious to hear from you all: How do you manage to connect with and engage non-English-speaking parents in your high school’s community? What methods or tools do you use to break down those language barriers and make sure everyone feels included? I’d love to hear your personal stories or any tips you might have. Drop your thoughts in the comments or send a message my way! Thanks for joining the conversation and helping us create more inclusive educational spaces! #InclusiveEducation #ParentEngagement #HighSchoolEducation

Let's flip practice on its head - instead of a 'language rich environment', how about we have an environment which doesn't rely on language? 🤔 Angelica Celinska has a conversation with Marlis Juerging-Coles who gives us a different perspective on language, and really challenges common practices 💭 Take a look below at all of the thought-provoking points addressed in this episode... Episode breakdown: 01:27 - Three common factors in supporting language 02:55 - Language is our social currency 05:05 - Should we use the child's first language in settings? 12:54 - Tokenism and cultural differences 17:00 - An environment that doesn't rely on language 20:17 - No child has chosen to be at your setting 25:50 - Does it matter if children don't use English? 28:40 - Achieving deep level learning 32:27 - Creating an environment which doesn't rely on language 36:30 - Don't be too quick to make changes... 39:00 - Involving children in constructing their environment 43:00 - Getting to know and respecting families' preferences 48:40 - Reflection and asking questions is not a negative 51:37 - What would you say to Ofsted? You can find the full episode and Marlis' article on our website👇🏾 https://lnkd.in/eNJRuQjA ⭐️ This article and episode is sponsored by Learniture ⭐️ Learniture are experts in the design of educational furniture for settings and schools who recognise that learning environments can positively impact learning. To find out more about Learniture, visit www.learniture.co.uk/up #Language #LanguageDevelopment #EAL #CommunicationAndLanguage #TheVoiceOfEarlyChildhood #EarlyChildhood #EarlyYears #EYFS #Children

Imagine being able to confidently communicate with your child's teacher about their progress, concerns, or learning needs. This is the reality for families who have access to language support in their native language. When families can access information and participate in their child's education in their native tongue, they feel: 💥 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 in advocating for their child's needs and ensuring they receive the appropriate support. 💥 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 to collaborate with teachers and administrators to develop effective learning strategies. 💥 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 to support their child's academic journey at home and in the school community. Language access isn't just about bridging the language gap; it's about empowering families to become active partners in their child's education.  Empowered families are the cornerstone of a successful education system. #MultilingualEducation #LanguageAccess #ESL #educationequity #familyengagement

Empowering kids to speak up for themselves brings confidence and independence. Did you know that self-advocacy and language skills are interrelated? That’s another reason it’s so important to nurture a child’s language skills. Let’s nurture their voices today for a better tomorrow! Don’t forget to sign up for our life skills camp to help empower your child this summer. :) #selfadvocacy #tampasummercamps #lutzmoms #lutzfl #tampamom

Today, let's talk about something crucial: the Head Start Program and why we can't afford to lose it, especialmente para nuestrxs pequeñxs negrxs. 🧒🏽🎒 Before you go into your “whataboutisms,” remember the mission of Bilingual Brown Babies - yes, I’m clear this impacts more than just Black children, but y’all know my focus! ❌ Getting rid of Head Start would significantly impact success and equity for Black language learners. Aquí te explico por qué: 1️⃣ Foundation for Success: Head Start provides early learning opportunities that lay the groundwork for academic achievement. Sin esta base sólida, many Black children may struggle to keep up, affecting their long-term success en la escuela y más allá. 2️⃣ Equity in Education: Este programa es un paso crucial hacia la equidad educativa. It ensures that all children, regardless of their background, tienen acceso a una educación de calidad desde una edad temprana. Without it, the gap in educational outcomes widens, dejando a nuestrxs niñxs atrás. 3️⃣ Language Development: Head Start is vital for early language development. Les enfants qui participent à ce programme bénéficient d'un environnement riche en langue qui stimule leur acquisition du langage. Eliminating it means many Black children won't get the support they need to become proficient in multiple languages. 4️⃣ Holistic Support: Head Start no solo se enfoca en la educación, sino también en la salud, la nutrición y el desarrollo social. This comprehensive support is crucial for our children's overall well-being y éxito académico. Without it, these essential services might be out of reach. 5️⃣ Building Confidence: Starting strong with programs like Head Start builds confidence en lxs niñxs. Knowing they have the tools to succeed from an early age les da la confianza necesaria para enfrentar futuros desafíos educativos. Let's stand together to protect Head Start and ensure our children have the support they need to succeed. ✊🏽🌟🗳️ ¿Qué opinas? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments! 💬👇🏽 #bilingualbrownbabies #multilingualblackwomanscholar #BlackExcellence #HeadStartProgram #EarlyEducation #EquityInEducation #LanguageLearners #CulturallySustainablePedagogy

LENA Foundation research illustrates the need for greater understanding of the importance of language in early years settings with dual language infants and toddlers. This is especially relevant when DLL children have monolingual English speaking teachers. DLL toddlers were found to experience less by way of language interactions - at a time when they should be “bathed in language” to support this hugely significant window of language growth. “children who are DLLs are disproportionately likely to experience language isolation. In classrooms without bilingual teachers, children who are DLLs were four times more likely to be in language isolation than their monolingual peers.” Infant/toddler teacher professional development should emphasize how vitally important their role is in enhancing children’s language growth. This is a serious equity issue for our DLL babies & toddlers!

Such an important conversation (Wednesday May 1st) and a tie in to the conversation last week on assessments in early childhood with Promise Venture Studio- recognizing that we are still facing many equity issues- especially given that so few assessments are available in languages other than English.  #earlychildhood can drive decisions not just for ece but also inform how k12 approaches engagement, especially as more districts offer UPK.#assessment #earlyliteracy #earlymath 

Why can some small children not stop asking why …? Because … Are there any stupid questions at all? Yes, there are … No, there are not … Because … Arguments and more on my Blogs on Higher Education. #Linguist #Language #Codes #Signal

Benefits of this new mini-lesson & a handy tip ⬇️ In this mini-lesson, we're exploring key body parts — like the nose, toes, and chin, while also learning the words leaf & leaves, perfect for the autumn season 🍂 Here’s why this mini-lesson is so special for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners: 🤸🏼♀️ Sensory learning: As the leaf travels from body part to body part, kids move along, strengthening motor skills and cognitive connections. For babies, you can gently guide their movements or let them observe you. 🌿 Body parts and vocabulary: By linking fun actions with words, we help children learn body parts in a natural, engaging way. The repetition of words like “leaf” and “nose” reinforces language learning while keeping it playful. 🧠 Imaginative play: The floating leaf adds a fun twist, sparking curiosity and imaginative thinking. Kids start wondering, “Where will the leaf go next?” — keeping them engaged and emotionally connected to the lesson. 🌍 Seasonal connection: By focusing on leaves, we’re connecting learning to the world around them. It’s a great way to build a natural curiosity about nature and the changing seasons. Tip 💡: Create some fabric leaves and let the kids place them on the body parts we’re singing about. For babies, let them explore the leaves and gently tickle them for sensory fun. Enjoy! #leafsong #bodyparts #learnenglish #preschoollearning #preschool #toddlerlearning #toddler #cancionesinfantiles #cancionesparabebes #esl #efl #kidssongs #inglésparaniños #kinderliedjes #engelsvoorkleuters #engelsvoorpeuters #singandswingwithstephanie #singandswing #sensoryplay https://lnkd.in/egn9NiyN

Imagine being a kid trying to learn in a language you’re still figuring out. That’s the reality for about 10% of K-12 students in the U.S. These students are not just statistics. They're our neighbors, our friends, and our future. Our language access services help these kids find their voice, feel understood, and succeed in school. Let’s come together to support and uplift every child, no matter what language they speak. For a better future for all of us. #LanguageAccess #EducationForAll #ELL #InclusiveEducation #SupportEveryStudent #DiversityInClassrooms #CommunitySupport #EveryChildMatters