Classroom Engagement Strategies for Multilingual Learners

This workshop equips educators with research-based strategies to increase engagement and access to learning for Multilingual Learners (MLs) in K–12 classrooms. Participants explore challenges that MLs face and learn practical techniques to address barriers, such as low self-esteem, disengagement, and misplacement in academic settings. The session highlights the power of collaboration, sentence frames, and visual supports to enhance student participation and comprehension. Through interactive activities, teachers practice applying strategies and leave with an actionable plan to integrate them into their lessons.

• Barriers that limit MLs’ access to grade-level content (language gaps, academic misplacement).
  
  
• Low confidence and disengagement among MLs due to language and cultural challenges.
  
  
• Limited teacher strategies for fostering meaningful interaction and collaboration with MLs.
  
  
• Difficulty scaffolding communication so MLs can participate fully in academic conversations.

1. Designing Accessible Learning Supports
   Participants will learn to use tools such as sentence frames, word banks, and visual aids to scaffold communication and comprehension at different language proficiency levels.
   
   
2. Building Engagement Through Collaboration
   Educators will explore strategies such as QSSSA (Question, Signal, Stem, Share, Assess) and structured group work to create collaborative classrooms where MLs are active contributors.
   
   
3. Implementing Best Practices for Equity and Participation
   Teachers will practice applying strategies like wait time, closed captioning, and think-time supports to ensure MLs can process language, engage confidently, and access rigorous instruction.