When the general public converses about multilingual learners, they tend to imagine them in large cities, primarily the coastal cities and regions. However, people migrate to all areas in all states and sometimes the areas they relocate to are not always prepared to handle large influxes, especially in educational institutions like public schools. The American Midwest has long been celebrated as a crossroads—a place where different histories, industries, and cultures intersect. Today, that legacy of diversity continues to evolve in powerful ways as multilingual learners bring their languages, literacies, and lived experiences into schools, colleges, and community programs across the region. The recent MIDTESOL 2025 conference, themed “Multilinguals in the Midwest,” invited educators to reflect on how teaching and learning can more fully recognize, honor, and expand the linguistic assets students carry with them.
At the heart of this theme is a mindset shift: multilingualism should not be framed as a barrier to overcome, but as an asset that strengthens both individuals and communities. The task before educators is to create spaces where students’ languages are valued, their identities affirmed, and their opportunities for academic and personal growth expanded. And as I listened attentively to presenters throughout the conference, this sentiment was echoed in the most positive ways possible. There are challenges, of course, but these present vast possibilities with this perception of focusing on what students can contribute rather than being stifled by perceived deficits.
Multilingualism as an Asset
Research across applied linguistics and education has repeatedly affirmed what many families have long known: learning in and through more than one language enriches cognition, strengthens problem-solving, and fosters intercultural understanding. For schools and community programs in the Midwest, this means students’ home languages can serve as bridges rather than obstacles. For instance, translanguaging pedagogy (where students are encouraged to draw upon their entire linguistic repertoire) can help learners make meaningful connections between prior knowledge and new concepts. Similarly, dual-language writing projects and cross-linguistic reading strategies allow students to build literacy across languages while affirming that their voices matter.
Recognizing multilingualism as an asset also means shaping public narratives. Too often, English learners are described in deficit terms, defined by what they “lack” rather than what they bring. By reframing conversations around their strengths, educators and communities alike can model a culture of respect that extends far beyond the classroom.
Complexity in Context
The Midwest’s multilingual population is remarkably diverse. From long-standing immigrant and refugee communities to newer arrivals seeking work and opportunity, classrooms may include students who speak Spanish, Arabic, Somali, Karen, French, or dozens of other languages. Educators navigate not only different proficiency levels but also diverse literacy experiences, cultural backgrounds, and goals for education. This complexity demands responsive pedagogy. For some students, the challenge lies in building academic vocabulary to succeed in content areas. For others, it may mean developing literacy in English while simultaneously learning to read and write in their home language for the first time. In rural communities, where resources and bilingual staff may be limited, educators often need innovative, collaborative approaches to ensure equity. Rather than being a source of frustration, however, these complexities can become opportunities for growth. They challenge educators to deepen cultural competence, refine instructional practices, and reimagine learning environments that truly belong to all students.
Strategies for Inclusive and Equitable Learning
The conference call highlights a central question: how can educators foster inclusive and equitable learning spaces that affirm multilingual identities? Several research-based strategies are gaining traction across the region:
- Culturally responsive teaching
Lessons that integrate students’ cultures and languages build engagement and relevance. Something as simple as including multilingual texts in classroom libraries signals to learners that their identities are recognized. - Family and community partnerships
Schools that actively collaborate with families (through bilingual communication, cultural events, and parent leadership initiatives) strengthen student outcomes and build community trust. - Scaffolded language support
Tools like sentence frames, visual supports, and explicit modeling help students access complex content while developing language proficiency. - Collaborative learning
Pairing students across language levels and encouraging peer-to-peer explanation leverages the classroom’s own diversity as a resource for learning. - Professional learning for educators
Teachers thrive when they have access to training that connects theory to practice. Sharing classroom-tested strategies at gatherings like MIDTESOL builds collective expertise across the Midwest.
Looking Ahead: The Power of Gathering
The MIDTESOL 2025 conference offered more than just professional development. It’s a space where stories were gathered, relevant research was shared, and networks were built among those dedicated to teaching multilingual learners. In the spirit of its theme, the conference calls for a focus going forward that centers on student voices, highlighting inclusive pedagogy, and translating research into actionable strategies.
Most importantly, this event (and others like it) reminds us that the future of the Midwest is multilingual. When educators embrace this reality, they not only empower individual students but also strengthen entire communities. Multilingualism is not simply about language proficiency—it is about identity, belonging, and possibility. As we look ahead to MIDTESOL 2026, one truth comes into focus: honoring multilingual identities is both a responsibility and a gift. By listening deeply to students’ experiences, leveraging their full linguistic repertoires, and cultivating inclusive learning environments, educators can help shape a Midwest (and all regions coast to coast) where multilingualism is celebrated as the powerful asset it is.
If you’d like to see the slides I shared in my presentation, click HERE. I will certainly make it a point to return for a third year in a row in 2026.
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