Teaching and Working with Multilingual Learners and Their Families - Rooted2Thrive Ep. 53

Rooted2Thrive Podcast: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity Teaching and Working with Multilingual Learners and Their FamiliesSeason 6, Episode 53 Host: Rochelle Peterson-AnsariOverview: In this episode, Rochelle Peterson-Ansari sits down with Dr. Anna Arlotta-Guerrero to discuss the nuances of supporting multilingual learners in early childhood and elementary settings. Drawing from her 15 years of experience in bilingual classrooms and her tenure as a teacher educator, Dr. Arlotta-Guerrero emphasizes that language diversity is an asset to be celebrated rather than a deficit to be corrected. The conversation explores practical classroom strategies—such as the importance of "wait time" and the power of small-group workstations—while also highlighting the critical need for educators to build authentic, respectful partnerships with families by honoring their native languages.Topics discussed:- Stages of Language Acquisition: Understanding the transition from single-word communication to fluent expression, and recognizing that young children often understand more than they initially reveal.- The Importance of Wait Time: Why educators must provide multilingual learners with at least 10 seconds (or more) to translate, process, and formulate responses during classroom interactions.- Bilingual Education as a Bridge: How teaching a child to read and write in their native language first can actually strengthen their eventual proficiency in English.- Culturally Responsive Family Partnerships: Strategies for overcoming language barriers with parents, including using translation apps, learning basic phrases in their native tongue, and correctly pronouncing family names.- Socio-Emotional Support Amidst External Stress: Recognizing the impact of external fears, such as immigration enforcement and community unrest, on a child’s ability to focus and learn.Guest:Dr. Anna Arlotta-Guerrero Retired Professor at the University of Pittsburgh and Founder of My Learning Circle, a platform for homeschooling parents and teachers.Check out more content and ways to connect with us:➡️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/perceptions/➡️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceptionsunlimited➡️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceptionsunlimited/➡️ Email: [email protected] ➡️ Website: www.perceptionsunltd.comPlease feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!Thank you for tuning into Rooted2Thrive: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity!