Multilingual Education: Sra. Hermosilla

​We live in a society where globalization is present in our everyday lives. It has
gradually become an essential component of the way we communicate with
each other, how business is conducted, and the way people understand
current affairs. Globalization is a phenomenon that brought about the
acknowledgment of cultural diversity and the widespread idea that
multilingualism is a consequence of it. Therefore, it is no surprise that
multilingual classrooms are becoming more common even though they may
still be in their early stages.
Multilingual education has acquired more relevance because a growing portion
of the student population can understand and/or converse in more than one
language so multilingualism is no longer just a way to reflect one aspect of
your identity, it is a true representation of what the classrooms have become:
an extension of globalization. Therefore, multilingualism in education needs to
go hand in hand with the present times. Education cannot fall behind when it
comes to keeping up with the current trends in the global village our world has
become.
Multilingual education is an enriching feature in our classrooms that is here to
stay. It presents the possibility of interpreting our world from multiple
perspectives. It opens new doors to understanding other cultures from a
standpoint where this is no "right" or "wrong" answer about customs and
traditions. Individualities are presented in a different light and, consequently,
we can develop skills that help us appreciate and reflect on what makes us
different when considering these differences may enrich our lives and
experiences. These features go beyond languages and affect many aspects of
education and students' perceptions of the world.
Multilingual education can also bridge the gap among intercultural
coexistence. If multiple languages are present and there is a conscious effort
when creating a curriculum with a pacing guide and units of study, lessons,
and projects that focus on languages and the cultures of those languages with
an emphasis on comparing how each language has evolved based on how its
culture has affected it, then students of different cultures may begin to
understand each other better by actively engaging in exchanging ideas about
their language and their customs. In this type of learning environments, class
activities like translations, interpretations, and compare/contrast help develop
skills that put education in a new dimension where critical thinking skills,
emotional learning, and experiential learning are just some of the added

benefits. They can also help our frame of mind become “more flexible” and
broaden the borders of concepts by putting everything into a more "malleable"
state. It is comparisons what many times trigger reasoning from multiple points
of view and higher thinking skills.
Multilingual education offers the essential tools to access more opportunities
to grow in a future career or occupation. A child that has been exposed to a
rich multilingual education knows no barriers or distances and one can only
dream of the exponential growth in that child's education and the potential for
a greater future. However, multilingual education has not become more
relevant just because of all the advantages it can have in academics or a
future job. Multilingualism reflects a society that is going through great and
deep changes to adapt to a new era that is ever evolving at a rapid pace.
The increasing recognition and use of multiple world languages are what has
put multilingualism at one of the top spots of desired high-quality education
and it is becoming a major goal for many educational communities around the
world. Nevertheless, it is vital to remember that there would be no multilingual
education without a diversity of cultures that coexist in the same environment
and actively interact with each other. Multilingual education is the result of the
effects of globalization and the social and psycholinguistic impact it has on our
society.
There is much more to come in multilingual education as it continues to strive
for permanent success in its implementation. Our current system of education
must find ways to meet the demands of a student population that is gradually
and steadily taking a leading role when it comes to making sure their voice is
heard. Educators and administrators are the ones who must ensure that
further steps are taken towards establishing new programs that can be taught
in a wider variety of educational contexts that welcome all languages and all
cultures.
Mariana B. Hermosilla de Casco M. Ed.