If you want to boost your skills in using multilingual practices, this is the perfect place to get started.
The free tools and resources below have been specially selected to help you:
- recognise the multilingual nature of the context in which you teach and develop an awareness of local beliefs about languages and how they can impact on establishing an inclusive learning environment
- understand approaches to the use of English as the medium of instruction (EMI) in other subjects as well as multilingual approaches in order to promote collaboration with other teachers and make principled pedagogical choices that value your learners’ linguistic diversity
- provide learners with appropriate opportunities to use their own language(s) to develop their communication skills and assess them in a way that takes their linguistic background into account.
There is no set order for the resources below. Choose what to do according to the time you have and the topics that are most interesting for you.
- Video: Using multilingual approaches: Moving from theory to practice (7 minutes)
This short video explains why and how the resource book – Using multilingual approaches – was developed by a team of authors at the University of South Australia.
Find out more or read the whole resource book
- Video: UNESCO International Mother Languages Day 2025 – closing conclusions (16 minutes)
In this presentation, George Wilson, Head of English and School Education for the British Council in France, shares the key highlights from the UNESCO International Mother Languages Day conference in February 2025.
- Article: Moving between languages: Translanguaging pedagogy with picturebooks (10 minutes)
This article starts with a brief background to translanguaging pedagogy and its benefits. It then looks at why picturebooks are used in language education and the types of picturebooks that lend themselves to translanguaging pedagogy. It offers practical strategies that can used with different picturebooks at different levels.
Read Moving between languages: Translanguaging pedagaogy with picturebooks
- Article: Content and language integrated learning (10 minutes)
This article, by Steve Darn, explains the meaning of content and language integrated learning (CLIL), how it works and why it's important. He also looks at the advantages of CLIL and where it's happening around the world.
Read Content and language integrated learning
- Article: Storytelling: The language teacher's oldest technique (10 minutes)
In this article, Mario Rinvolucri shares several creative story ideas and techniques for lessons that can be adapted to any age or level. These include mixed-language storytelling and multivoice telling, which can be used effectively to increase learners' fluency and boost their confidence in the target language.
Read the article
- Podcast: How can I use different languages in my teaching? (35 minutes)
This podcast (series 1, episode 8) looks at how learners' home languages should be seen as assets in the English language classroom and shares activities you can use in your classroom that celebrate the languages your learners speak.
Listen to the podcast
- Webinar: Multilingual lessons from my classes (60 minutes)
In this webinar, Huma Hasna Riaz Ahmed, from the UAE, shares her classroom experiences and practical multilingual teaching ideas, and also presents strategies for incorporating home languages to facilitate language learning.
As you watch the webinar, make notes: which of these ideas could you use with your classes, and why?
After watching the webinar, share your answer to the discussion question in the comments section below.
If you watch the recording and comment on it, we'll be happy to send you the link to an attendance certificate for the session.
Explore all three sessions from the Valuing multilingualism mini-event
- Webinar: Challenges and benefits of teaching English to bilingual or multilingual children and teens (55 minutes)
In this webinar, Suzanne Barron-Hauwaert, in France, starts with a brief overview of bilingualism and multilingualism and then looks at various scenarios where this can present a challenge for teachers, before finally focusing on the many benefits for the English language classroom.
Explore all four webinars from the Multilingual matters mini-event
- Lesson plans (60 minutes)
How many languages can you speak? (A2 level – secondary)
This lesson helps learners to reflect on the importance and benefits of multilingualism and how they can use the different languages they already know to help improve their English.
How many languages can you speak? teaching materials
The power of multilingualism (B1 level – secondary)
In this lesson, B1-level learners will explore the role and benefits of multilingualism. They will reflect on how the languages they know can help them with their English learning.
The power of multilingualism teaching materials
The benefits of being multilingual (C1 level – secondary)
In this lesson, learners talk about the different languages they speak, read about the benefits of being multilingual and evaluate how translation can help them with their English learning.
Benefits of being multilingual teaching materials
- Workbook: Using multilingual practices
If you want to develop further in Using multilingual practices, this workbook will help you take your skills to the next level. It's designed to help you create a regular learning habit and apply what you've learned in the classroom. You'll find an overview of the theme and recommended learning materials. You'll also find support to reflect on and personalise your learning. You can use the workbook in different ways – do what works for you! We hope you find it beneficial.
Access the workbook