UNESCO’s Languages Matter: Global Guidance on Multilingual Education provides clear strategies for integrating multilingual education (MLE) into national policies and classrooms. The guide outlines how MLE can improve learning outcomes, support inclusion, and preserve linguistic and cultural diversity. It offers practical steps for education ministries, schools, and teachers to implement MLE effectively. It focuses on six key areas:
- policy development
- curriculum design
- teacher training
- classroom environments
- data collection
- partnerships
Why Multilingual Education Matters
Students learn best when they can build on the language they know. MLE helps children develop literacy skills, improves overall academic performance, and makes it easier to learn additional languages. It also strengthens cultural identity and supports economic opportunities by preparing learners for multilingual societies. Schools that adopt MLE see higher engagement, better comprehension, and stronger connections between students, teachers, and families.
How This Resource Can Help
This guide provides practical recommendations for:
- Developing policies that ensure instruction in languages students understand.
- Creating classroom materials in multiple languages.
- Training teachers to use multilingual approaches effectively.
- Designing school environments that support language diversity.
- Building partnerships to sustain MLE initiatives.
For Parents and Educators
This is an opportunity to improve learning for all students. Schools, policymakers, and families can use UNESCO’s guidance to make informed decisions about language in education. Explore the resource and consider how multilingual education can be integrated into your local context.
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