Honoring Bilingual Students’ Linguistic Diversity & Cultural Heritage Year Round

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As another year’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations came to a close in mid-October, many schools that went the extra mile to honor the linguistic diversity and cultural heritage of their Hispanic students likely reverted back to business as usual.

This is a major mistake.

Hispanic students, like all multilingual learners, deserve to be recognized and valued year-round. There are more than 5 million multilingual learners in U.S. public schools, making up more than 10% of the student population — and more than three-quarters are Hispanic. If states and districts are serious about recognizing and honoring Hispanic heritage, they must consider the content and instruction they put in front of students every day. And specifically, how their instructional materials integrate and celebrate multilingual learners’ culture and languages.

For many students, culture and language are completely intertwined. Language isn’t just a form of communication; it’s a vital link to their heritage. Unfortunately, language loss across generations has been quite common in the U.S. Even states with large Latino populations, like California, Texas, and New Mexico, have experienced some erosion as each generation conforms to an English-dominant society.

Multilingual learners often have to negotiate a delicate balance between embracing cultural pride and bowing to societal pressures. School is still seen by many of these students and families as a place where they are supposed to put aside their home languages in exchange for learning “better” English. Unfortunately, many states and districts — including those with high multilingual learner populations — utilize curricula that support this perception by ignoring diversity in language and culture.

This perception must change. Research shows that students who feel connected to their cultural identity are more likely to be motivated in school, develop higher self-esteem and graduate at higher rates than those who don’t. That’s because when students see their languages and cultures reflected in their learning materials, it fosters a sense of belonging and validates their experiences. 

Schools should be places that acknowledge, respect or even build on their students’ home languages for greater learning. Being bilingual is a superpower; speaking more than one language has shown positive effects on cognitive brain function and future income. And as early as first grade, bilingual students have outperformed monolingual students in mathematical reasoning and problem-solving, as well as on math tests. 

The collective failure of schools to truly honor the home languages of multilingual learners doesn’t just devalue their heritage, it keeps them from reaching their full potential. Schools also miss out on the opportunity to introduce all students to the diverse perspectives and cultures that speakers of other languages bring to the table. Research shows that when students have those experiences, they develop greater tolerance for differences as well as an understanding and appreciation of other cultures.

A national survey revealed that 70% of teachers do not feel prepared to teach multilingual learners. Additionally, a staggering 80% reported that their instructional materials don’t do enough to improve outcomes for multilingual learners.

Without the proper instructional tools and support, even the most dedicated teachers are placed in an impossible situation as they struggle to provide the instruction their multilingual students deserve. Given that, it’s not surprising that many teachers spend time developing their own materials. By implementing curricula that are designed to support multilingual learners, districts can help educators spend more time doing what they do best: helping students grow. 

For both teachers and students, education should be about more than just surviving the school year. It should be about thriving academically, socially and culturally. For too long, multilingual learners have been denied the opportunities they need to succeed. Every student — regardless of home language or background — will have a greater chance to succeed in school and retain their heritage for generations to come if they have access to thoughtfully implementing inclusive curricula. Schools must give teachers the instructional materials that actually maximize their students’ bilingual superpower, and commit to honoring the languages and cultures of Hispanic students, and all multilingual learners, year-round.

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