Teaching Academic Content and Literacy to Multilingual Learners

Episode Description In this episode of the ASSETS Podcast, Dr. Jobi Lawrence sits down with Dr. Diane August, nationally recognized researcher and expert in multilingual learner education, to discuss the critical role of academic language development in supporting student success. Drawing on decades of research and her work as a contributor to the 2014 Institute of Education Sciences Practice Guide, Teaching Academic Content and Literacy to English Learners in Elementary and Middle School, Dr. August explores why academic language is essential for multilingual learners to access grade-level content and achieve at high levels. The conversation highlights the importance of integrating language development into content instruction, examines key recommendations from the Practice Guide, and offers practical insights for educators seeking to strengthen instruction across disciplines. Whether you are a classroom teacher, instructional coach, school leader, or policymaker, this episode provides valuable guidance on how research-based practices can help multilingual learners develop the language and literacy skills needed to thrive academically. Dr. August's expertise and perspective serve as a powerful reminder that language development is not separate from learning, it is fundamental to it. Link to Word Analyzer (You will need to create an account): https://vocabularytool.airprojects.org/ Link to  article: https://www.aft.org/ae/winter2025-2026/august