Something we’ve learned from all our years working with multilingual students: When bilingualism is celebrated, protected, and supported, it goes beyond being a cultural strength and becomes a financial opportunity. This is why, when donors invest in dual-language programs, the returns ripple across classrooms, communities, and the economy. The American Council on the Teaching of… Continue reading The ROI of Bilingualism: Wage Premiums & Workforce Gains Every Donor Should Know
Too often, multilingual learners are met with well-meaning sympathy instead of transformative support. But a growing body of evidence shows that the “warm-demander” teaching approach can change that. When a struggling student is paired with a teacher who genuinely believes in them, but also pushes them to go beyond their limits, they can reach academic… Continue reading Warm-Demander Classrooms: New Teaching Strategies and Approaches for Multilingual Learners
In spring 2025, five Texas districts reported that anxiety referrals for English-learner (EL) students doubled in a single semester. The spike mirrors national trends: CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found persistent increases in depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts among adolescents, especially girls and students of color. This post unpacks why ELs are at heightened… Continue reading Student Mental Health Support for English Learners: Trauma-Informed SEL That Works
In every school I visit, I hear the same quiet alarm: our multilingual learners are carrying an invisible weight that is slowing their academic recovery and silencing their voices. A recent Century Foundation commentary I authored, “English Learners Are Increasingly Struggling with Mental Health Challenges,” confirms what educators have been whispering since campuses reopened—English learners… Continue reading The Mental Health Challenges That English Learners Are Facing
