Daniel (Host & Editor):
Welcome to today’s episode of Many Languages, One Classroom. I’m Daniel, your host, joined by Brianna and Luisa. Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s transforming elementary classrooms across the country—linguistic diversity.
Brianna (Developer):
That’s right! Linguistic diversity refers to the presence of students who speak different languages or dialects—at home or in their communities. And this isn’t just happening in big cities. More and more schools across the United States are seeing multilingual classrooms due to immigration, globalization, and multicultural communities.
Luisa (Promoter):
And that’s a good thing! Because when we embrace linguistic diversity, we’re not just teaching academics—we’re supporting identity, confidence, and inclusion.
Segment 1: What Is Linguistic Diversity & Why It Matters
Daniel:
Let’s break it down. Linguistic diversity includes students who speak a language other than English at home, are bilingual or multilingual, or speak a unique dialect of English.
Brianna:
And we can’t forget English Language Learners—ELLs—who are still acquiring English. These students bring incredible assets to the classroom, but also face unique challenges.
Language is deeply tied to identity. So when a school honors a child’s home language, it boosts their self-esteem, academic performance, and sense of belonging.
Luisa:
Exactly! And let’s be honest—schools aren’t always ready. Teachers may not have ESL training. Curriculum might not reflect language diversity. And communication with families can be tough if translation isn’t available. That’s where equity comes in—all students deserve fair learning opportunities, no matter what language they speak.

Segment 2: The Benefits of Embracing Linguistic Diversity
Daniel:
Despite the challenges, the benefits are HUGE. Supporting linguistic diversity promotes cultural inclusion, encourages bilingualism—which research shows has cognitive and economic advantages—and builds global awareness in students.
Brianna:
Totally. And here’s something powerful from the article “All Teachers Are Language Teachers”:
Language development happens across all subjects—not just in ELA. So every teacher, whether you teach math or music, plays a role.
Luisa:
Teachers can support students by using strategies like vocabulary instruction, sentence frames, and culturally relevant materials. And here’s a big one—valuing students' native languages. Let them use both English and their first language—it helps learning and honors their identity.

Segment 3: Classroom Strategies That Work
Brianna:
From the article “Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students”, we know ELLs now make up about 10% of public school students. In urban areas, that number is even higher. But here’s the gap—the teaching force remains mostly white, which can create a disconnect.
Daniel:
That’s why we need to rethink the curriculum, adapt teaching styles, and build real relationships with families. Some great tips include:
Collaborating with ESL teachers
Using visuals and diagrams
Letting students preview material
Encouraging group work
And displaying multilingual materials around the classroom
Luisa:
Also—teachers, don’t forget the “silent period.” That’s when new learners are just taking it all in. It’s part of the process, and they’ll speak when they’re ready.

Segment 4: Questions to Reflect On
Daniel:
Now it’s time for our Listener Reflection. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or student, take a moment to think about these questions:
“Why do you think it’s important to celebrate all languages in school?”
○ Celebrating all languages shows students that their identities matter. It helps
them feel proud, not pressured to hide parts of who they are. When schools uplift
linguistic diversity, they also promote inclusion, empathy, and global thinking
among all students.

Luisa:
Students—
“What language do you speak at home, and how is it different from school?”
“Has anyone ever made you feel proud of your language?”
“What’s one word from your language you wish everyone knew?”
Brianna:
And for teachers—
“How do you create space for multiple languages in your classroom?”
“What challenges have you faced with linguistically diverse students?”
“Has a student’s language background ever enriched a lesson you taught?”
Daniel:
Big picture questions—
“Why do you think it’s important to celebrate all languages in school?”
“How would school feel different if everyone’s language was treated equally?”
“What’s one small change a school could make to better support language diversity?”

Segment 5: Promotion + Community Connection
Luisa:
We want this episode to spark action, not just conversation. So here’s how you can connect and share:
Instagram – Post a pic of our podcast art and caption it: How many languages do your students speak? Let’s celebrate them!
TikTok – Record your class or friends saying “hello” in different languages.
Twitter/X – Share a quote or fun fact from the episode with: Why is it important to support all languages in class?
Facebook – Share the episode with this message: Listen to how schools can support students from all language backgrounds!
Use the hashtag #ManyLanguagesOneClassroom so we can find and celebrate your posts!
Daniel:
And don’t forget our interactive survey—we want to hear your voice, in any language. The link is in the description.
Survey Link

Segment 6: Final Thoughts
Brianna:
If we want our classrooms to be truly inclusive, we have to meet students where they are—linguistically, culturally, and personally. Teaching is about relationships, not just results.
Luisa:
So let’s start small—say “hello” in your students’ languages, use diverse books, invite families to share their culture. Every little act tells students, you belong here.
Daniel:
And that’s a wrap on this episode of Many Languages, One Classroom. Thanks for listening—don’t forget to subscribe, share, and reflect on how you can support linguistic diversity in your school.
Luisa:
Bye for now—and remember, every language is a story worth telling.