Advocating for Multilingual Learners with Brooke Boutwell

Click below to hear about advocating for multilingual learners:

We live in a monolingual society, and unfortunately, the belief that English is the superior language is what most of our federal and state laws were founded on and still support. Today’s guest combines her love of learning about language and cultures with a passion for the law, and she is on a mission to make education more equitable for our ELL students.

Brooke Boutwell has firsthand experience as a multilingual learner. She knows what it’s like to live in a foreign country as a student without any academic support or accommodations and how much that can impact a student’s confidence and self-esteem. Brooke is dedicated to helping teachers support their ELL students in the classroom so they can be successful and receive the education they deserve. 

In this episode, Brooke shares how her own experiences as a multilingual learner shaped her career as an educator. She also shares helpful tips and strategies any teacher can use to create a supportive learning environment for their ELL students. When we teach with our ELLs in mind, all of our students succeed. 

PS: In honor of this brand new podcast, I’m celebrating with a giveaway of five $25 TPT gift cards! Plus one grand prize winner will receive my course, ELL Strategy Academy, a one year subscription to my membership, Equipping ELLs, and a $50 TPT gift card!

Here’s how to enter the giveaway:

1. Follow, rate, and write a review on Apple Podcasts.
2. Screenshot your review and send it to me on Instagram @inspiringyounglearners.
3. BONUS ENTRY: Screenshot your favorite launch episode, add it to your Instagram stories, and tag me.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Why it’s so detrimental to make assumptions about the intelligence of our students based on their linguistic abilities
• Using the term “multilingual learner” and the different types of multilingual learners we might have in our classrooms
• The importance of teaching academic language to all students and giving them opportunities to practice their oral language
• Quick and easy ways that any teacher can help develop a welcoming environment for ELL students
• How to advocate for our students to provide a more equitable schedule that maximizes support

Connect with Brooke:

• Follow her on Instagram: @miss_bilingual_bee 
• Follow her on Twitter: @BoutwellMrs
• Check out Brooke’s free resources
• Influential Multicultural People Alphabet Posters

Related resources:

• Equipping ELLs Membership
• ELL Strategy Academy
• Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs

Related episodes and blog posts:

• 6 Truths I Didn’t Learn Until I Lived Abroad
• What To Do When They Are New, Part 2: Laying the Foundation

Connect with Beth:

• Follow her on Instagram: @inspiringyounglearners
• Join the Facebook group: Inspiring Young Learners Engage!

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.