The Power of Being Bicultural: Lessons for Educators & Multilingual Learners with Gabby Rivera

In today’s global classrooms, many students are not just bilingual—they are bicultural. But what does that really mean? In episode 166 of Equipping ELs, host Beth Vaucher sits down with Gabby Montenegro Rivera to unpack the challenges, benefits, and emotional depth of living between two cultures.

Understanding Biculturalism vs. Bilingualism

Many assume that speaking two languages fluently makes someone fully adaptable. But biculturalism is about more than just words – it’s about knowing how to navigate the unspoken rules, values, and social expectations of multiple cultures. Gabby explains how she grew up in Panama, attending an American church and later an all-English high school, where she experienced a cultural shift daily.

The Academic Challenges of Being Bicultural

Despite being fluent in English, Gabby faced a surprising hurdle when writing essays in high school. “I kept getting B’s, and I thought it was because English wasn’t my first language,” she shares. “But then I realized – it wasn’t my grammar, it was my cultural approach to writing.” In Latin cultures, eloquence and complexity are valued in writing, whereas in American academic settings, clarity and conciseness are key. This cultural expectation gap can make success more difficult for multilingual learners.

Helping Students Feel a Sense of Belonging

For many bicultural students, home isn’t just one place—it’s wherever they are not. Teachers play a huge role in helping students feel grounded. Gabby and Beth discuss how educators can:

Encourage students to share their cultural experiences in the classroom
Recognize that cultural misunderstandings (like different humor styles) can impact social connections
Foster cross-cultural friendships by introducing activities that celebrate diversity

Why Biculturalism Matters in the Classroom

Teachers who recognize the importance of bicultural identity help students thrive academically and socially. Gabby emphasizes that language is deeply tied to personality—she even notices a shift in her own humor and self-expression depending on whether she’s speaking English or Spanish.

Creating safe spaces where students can express their full identities is crucial. Whether it’s through music, humor, or shared experiences, allowing students to bring their cultures into the classroom helps them feel valued and seen.

Final Thoughts: How Educators Can Take Action

Multilingual students often experience cultural push-and-pull, balancing family traditions with new societal expectations. As Gabby shares, “It’s not just about learning English—it’s about belonging.”

Educators can:

Encourage students to embrace both cultures instead of choosing one
Facilitate discussions on cultural differences to bridge gaps in understanding
Use culturally responsive teaching practices to validate student identities

By fostering a community of acceptance and understanding, teachers can help bicultural students thrive—not just in school, but in life.

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More about Equipping ELLs:

We all know that teaching isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be this hard. Equipping ELLs is a podcast for both ESL specialists and homeroom teachers who are looking for effective and engaging ways to support their English Language Learners without adding to their endless to-do list. Tune in each week to hear tips, strategies, and inspirational stories that will empower you to better reach your ELL students, equip them with life-long skills, and strengthen relationships with colleagues and parents.

Your host, Beth Vaucher, is the founder of Inspiring Young Learners. She is an ESL certified homeroom teacher with over 10 years of experience teaching in the US and internationally. Her background of M.Ed in ESL and Curriculum and Instruction combined with her experience has led her to develop a bestselling newcomer curriculum that has sold in over 90 countries around the globe. She brings a different perspective to teaching ELLs from her years teaching and living abroad and working with ELLs from around the world. You will walk away from each episode with the ideas and tools you need to transform your experience as a teacher and cultivate a thriving and welcoming environment for your ELL students.

Beth

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