Answers to frequently asked questions about the Multilingual Learning Toolkit
Thank you for visiting the Multilingual Learning Toolkit! We invite you to read a few commonly asked questions below to learn more about the website. If you have questions that aren’t answered here, please contact us.
Begin with the Starter Guide
The Starter Guide section shares the research-backed, asset-based foundational principles that are critical for practitioners to know in order to best support Multilingual Learners in PreK-3rd Grade.
Explore How to use this site >
What is a Multilingual Learner?
Multilingual Learner (ML) is an umbrella term that includes both Dual Language Learners (DLLs) and English Learners (ELs). This definition is based on Improving Education for Multilingual and English Learner Students, Chapter 1.
Who wrote the Multilingual Learning Toolkit Overview?
The content for this toolkit was developed by American Institutes for Research (AIR), in collaboration with Early Edge California and Multilingual Learner experts and professional development developers around the country.
In addition to peer-reviewed journal articles, AIR drew on the following resources from the field to inform the strategies that are included:
- California English Learner Roadmap
- What Works Clearinghouse – Teaching Academic Content and Literacy to English Learners in Elementary and Middle School
- California Department of Education (CDE) Resource on Improving Education for Multilingual Learners
- CDE ELA/ELD Framework
- California Preschool Learning Foundations
- California Preschool Curriculum Frameworks
- California’s Best Practices for Young DLLs – Research Overview
- CA Preschool Program Guidelines – Chapter 6
How were the resources collected and were they vetted?
The resources included in the Multilingual Learning Toolkit website were collected from a variety of trusted California-based and national sources. A large portion of the resources were provided by grantees of the 2018 California state investment in Dual Language Learner (DLL) Professional Development, as well as our project partners. Learn more about the Toolkit’s Partners & Contributors.
The resources were vetted against a rubric that focused on the following four areas:
- Alignment with the Toolkit
- Equity/representation (no problematic messages about or representations of Multilingual Learners and pedagogies)
- Usability (easy to transfer to practice)
- Publication-ready (well-organized and complete)
Only resources that received high ratings in all areas are included on the website.
Who is the audience for the Multilingual Learning Toolkit?
The key audience for the Toolkit is teachers who work with Multilingual Learners in PreK-3rd Grade as well as program administrators and higher education faculty members.
While the Toolkit draws heavily from California-based policies, programs, and resources, practitioners across the country will find value in accessing this online hub of research-based, asset-focused principles along with vetted resources to help support their practice.
Can I submit a resource to be included on the website?
Yes! The Toolkit’s resource library is a collection of quality, vetted resources geared towards the PreK-3rd Grade practitioner audience. To submit a resource for consideration, please email us.
