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Supporting Language Diversity: Coaching

Given the large number of languages spoken in the U.S., it is likely that your program will serve children, youth, and families who speak a language unfamiliar to you or your staff. Capitalize on the strengths that bilingual and multilingual staff bring to your program by fostering a culturally diverse and language-rich environment for children and families. Help mono-English speaking staff members create language-rich programs that support children and families from a range of backgrounds.

Promoting Language Diversity in the Early Years and Beyond

Children and youth enter your program with a range of language experience, and they come from diverse language backgrounds. Child and youth programs have an opportunity to help all children develop strong language skills and healthy cultural identities. This lesson introduces common terms related to language development, describes typical development for multi-language learners, and summarizes the benefits of learning multiple languages in the early years and beyond.

Environments and Experiences to Promote Language Diversity

Child and youth programs are ideal spaces to help children expand their knowledge of languages and cultures. This lesson describes how you can help staff use the environment, interactions, and planned experiences to nurture language diversity in your classrooms or programs.

Building on the Strengths of Multilingual Families, Staff, & Communities

Native speakers are the best assets for promoting language diversity in your program. This lesson describes how to build on the culture and language diversity in your program. You will learn how to collaborate with families, staff, and community members to build a rich language experience for children and youth.