Designing Curriculum for Multilingual Learners: Best Practices

8 February 2025

Creating a curriculum for multilingual learners is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle — every piece has to fit just right for the bigger picture to make sense. Whether you're a teacher, curriculum developer, or administrator, designing a curriculum that caters to students who speak multiple languages can be challenging. But here's the thing: it's also incredibly rewarding. When done right, you’re not just teaching content — you’re building bridges between languages, cultures, and experiences.

In this article, we're diving deep into best practices for designing a curriculum that works for multilingual learners. We'll cover everything from understanding who your students are to strategies that make your teaching more effective. So, grab a cup of coffee and let’s get into it!

Why Multilingual Learners Deserve Special Attention

Before we jump into the nitty-gritty, it’s crucial to understand why multilingual learners (MLs) need a tailored curriculum. Think about it: these students are navigating two or more languages, often while learning new academic concepts in a language that might be unfamiliar to them. That’s like trying to solve a math problem while simultaneously learning the rules of the game.

Multilingual learners bring a wealth of knowledge and cultural diversity to the classroom, but they also face unique challenges. They might struggle with understanding academic content, participating in discussions, or even just feeling like they belong. A well-designed curriculum can help bridge these gaps and create an inclusive environment where all students can thrive.

Know Your Learners: The Key to Success

The first step in designing any curriculum is knowing who you're designing it for. This is especially true for multilingual learners because their needs are often more complex than monolingual students.

Conducting a Language and Cultural Assessment

You wouldn’t walk into a restaurant and order a dish without knowing what’s on the menu, right? Similarly, you can’t design a curriculum for multilingual learners without first understanding their language and cultural backgrounds. Start by conducting a language and cultural assessment. This can be as simple as a survey or interview that gathers information about:

- The students' home languages
- Their proficiency in both their home language(s) and the instructional language (often English)
- Cultural practices that might influence learning styles or classroom behavior

This assessment helps you identify students' strengths and areas where they may need additional support. For instance, some students may have strong oral language skills in their home language but struggle with academic writing in English.

Understanding Language Proficiency Levels

Once you’ve assessed your students, it's important to know where they fall on the language proficiency spectrum. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or WIDA language proficiency standards can be helpful tools to determine this.

- Beginner: Students are just starting to learn the instructional language and may require more visual aids and scaffolding.
- Intermediate: These students can communicate basic ideas but may still struggle with academic language.
- Advanced: They have a strong grasp of the instructional language but may still need support with complex academic concepts.

Knowing where your students stand allows you to tailor your lessons to meet their specific needs.

Best Practices for Designing a Curriculum for Multilingual Learners

Now that you know who your learners are, let’s talk about how to design a curriculum that meets their needs. Here are some best practices to keep in mind:

1. Incorporate Scaffolding Techniques

Think of scaffolding like training wheels on a bike. It provides the support students need until they’re ready to ride on their own. For multilingual learners, scaffolding is essential because it helps them grasp complex ideas while still developing their language skills.

Some effective scaffolding techniques include:

- Visual aids: Use diagrams, charts, and images to explain concepts.
- Sentence starters: Provide sentence structures that guide students as they respond to questions.
- Modeling: Show students how to complete tasks before asking them to do it on their own.
- Collaborative learning: Pair students with peers who can offer language support.

2. Use a Culturally Responsive Curriculum

Imagine walking into a classroom where none of the content reflects your experiences or culture — you’d feel pretty disconnected, right? That’s exactly how multilingual learners can feel if the curriculum doesn’t reflect their cultural backgrounds.

A culturally responsive curriculum not only acknowledges the diverse cultures in your classroom but also integrates them into the learning experience. For example, if you’re teaching history, include perspectives from different cultures. If you’re teaching literature, incorporate texts written by authors from diverse backgrounds.

By doing this, you’re not just teaching content — you’re validating your students' identities and making them feel seen.

3. Prioritize Language Development Alongside Content

This might seem obvious, but it’s worth emphasizing: a curriculum for multilingual learners should be as much about language development as it is about academic content. You can’t expect students to fully engage with the material if they’re struggling to understand the language it’s presented in.

Here are some strategies to prioritize language development:

- Content and Language Objectives: Every lesson should have both content and language objectives. For example, if you're teaching a science lesson, your content objective might be for students to understand the water cycle. Your language objective could be for students to use vocabulary like "evaporation" and "condensation" in sentences.

- Explicit Vocabulary Instruction: Don’t assume that students will pick up academic vocabulary on their own. Teach it explicitly and give them multiple opportunities to use the new words in different contexts.

- Structured Language Practice: Incorporate opportunities for students to practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing in the instructional language. Group discussions, partner activities, and journal prompts are great ways to do this.

4. Leverage Students’ Home Languages as a Resource

One of the biggest mistakes educators make is thinking that students need to leave their home languages at the door. In reality, a student’s home language is a powerful resource that can enhance learning.

Encourage students to use their home languages in the classroom when appropriate. For example, they might use their home language to brainstorm ideas before sharing them in English. This allows them to engage with the content more deeply, without the barrier of language getting in the way.

If you're fluent in a student’s home language (or have access to resources like bilingual aides), you can even incorporate dual-language instruction. This not only supports language development but also fosters a more inclusive learning environment.

5. Differentiate Instruction

Differentiation isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a necessity when teaching multilingual learners. Every student is at a different point in their language learning journey, which means a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work.

Here’s how you can differentiate instruction:

- Varying Assignments: Offer different ways for students to demonstrate their understanding. For example, some students might write an essay, while others create a visual project.

- Flexible Grouping: Group students based on their language proficiency, academic strengths, or interests to create a more supportive learning environment.

- Pacing: Give students the time they need to process new information. Some students may need more time to complete assignments or require additional support.

6. Encourage Peer Collaboration

Learning is a social activity, and multilingual learners often benefit from interacting with their peers. Pairing multilingual learners with native speakers or other students who are more proficient in the instructional language can help in several ways:

- Language Modeling: Students get to hear how their peers use academic language in context.
- Confidence Building: When students work together, it reduces the pressure of having to speak or write perfectly in English.
- Cultural Exchange: Peer collaboration fosters cultural exchange, allowing students to learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives.

7. Regular Assessment and Feedback

Assessment is crucial for all students, but it’s especially important for multilingual learners. Regular assessments allow you to track both content mastery and language development, ensuring that students are progressing in both areas.

However, traditional assessments (like standardized tests) may not always give you a clear picture of what your multilingual learners know. Consider using a variety of assessment methods, including:

- Formative Assessments: Quick, informal checks for understanding during lessons (like exit tickets or think-pair-share activities).
- Performance-based Assessments: Projects, presentations, or portfolios that allow students to demonstrate their learning in more creative ways.
- Language-specific Assessments: Assess students’ language development separately from their content knowledge so you can identify where they need more support.

Don’t forget about feedback! Multilingual learners benefit from constructive feedback that highlights both their progress and areas for improvement. Be specific and give them the tools they need to improve, whether it’s through additional practice or targeted support.

Final Thoughts: The Power of an Inclusive Curriculum

Designing a curriculum for multilingual learners isn’t just about accommodating language differences — it’s about creating an educational experience that values diversity and promotes equity. When you take the time to understand your students, scaffold their learning, and create a culturally responsive environment, you’re setting them up for success both inside and outside the classroom.

Remember, every multilingual learner brings something unique to the table. Your job as an educator is to tap into those strengths and provide them with the tools and support they need to thrive. It’s not always easy, but trust me, it’s worth it.