Brynn: Introduction
Welcome to Multilingual Me
Introduce today’s theme: “How Multilingualism shapes identity”
Set the scene: Explain what we plan to focus on today

Brynn: Why Language Matters

Brief Intro Comment: “Languages are not just tools- they shape how we think, feel, and connect to others”
Being multilingual can really shape how you see yourself and how others see you. When you are speaking more than 1 language , you are diving into different cultures and ways of thinking. It will teach you to be more open minded and adaptable because there is more than one way to look at the world.
Transition to first research topic
“Missy, tell us about what research says on this”

Missy (Research Article 1- Siebenhütter Study)
Share research from Stefanie Siebenhütter (2023)
“Multilinguals adjust how they express themselves depending on the language and situation”
“Language helps people navigate different spaces by unlocking different parts of their personality”
“Identity is flexible, not fixed- languages allow people to adapt socially and emotionally”

Maria: Real-Life Example
Share a quick personal-style example:
Share time you experienced someone acting differently when speaking a different language- maybe someone feeling more comfortable and animated
Growing up surrounded by my Italian Grandparents has definitely exposed me to multilingualism. I am very close with my grandparents and I see them multiple times a week. Every Sunday, my family and I go over for sauce. Since my grandparents both immigrated from Italy, they can both speak fluent Italian. My grandma definitely knows English better than my poppy. They will often communicate with each other in Italian and I believe it is because it makes them more connected. Whenever they are speaking in Italian, they are so animated and expressive with their words. It is really beautiful to watch. Even though I can’t understand what they’re saying, I can pick up some information by the way they communicate.

Brynn: Reflect and Transition
Connect back:
“Exactly! And that ability to shift shows how flexible and layered our identities are”
Now transition to emotions:
“Missy, can you tell us what research says about language and emotions?”

Missy (Research Article 2- I.M.O & K.B. Study, Part 1)
Share emotional connection
“Research shows bilinguals often express emotions- like love, sadness, or anger- more naturally in their first language. That first language stays deeply tied to feelings and memories”

Brynn: Short Personal Example
Reflect briefly:
“When I learned some Italian, it felt fun, but when I say something serious, I still reach for English- it just felt most familiar to my feelings” My uncle uses mostly Italian around the people in my family that understands it but other than that he speaks to everyone in english. But when he talks with his parents, it is always in italian. He will also use some random Italian words as a joke since I don't know what he means.

Maria: More Cultural Connection
Give another small example:
In general my poppy speaks to me in English because he knows I don’t know Italian. But sometimes when he gets really excited, he will say sentences and replace one word with Italian so that I still understand it but he is able to express himself more fully. For example, If he is congratulating me on an accomplishment he will say something like “You are magnifica” instead of saying magnificent. I love when he does that.

Brynn: “Language Unlocks Emotion” Summary
Tie together:
“So every language we speak taps into different emotions and memories, making us even more connected to our own stories”

Missy (Research Article 1- Siebenhütter Study, Part 2)
Share second idea from Siebenhütter:
“Another key idea from the research article by Siebenhütter is that multilingualism isn’t about being ‘less authentic’ in one language or another- it’s about being able to express different sides of yourself. It’s all you, just expressed through different words and cultures”

Brynn: Introduces Activity
“Let’s all quickly share a way to say ‘hello’ in another language”
Missy “Hola”
Maria “Ciao”
Brynn: “Salut”
Maria: “See, these are three different languages and sound differently, for us they aren’t our fluent language so they may sound more unnatural to us but when spoken in your most familiar language they may sound more friendly”

Brynn: Closing Reflection
Big picture reminder:
“When we honor every language someone speaks- even if it’s just a few words- we’re honoring their identity, emotions, and experiences. It is so important to foster a strong multilingual environment in schools so that students feel connected and confident about their identity.”

All Together: Goodbye
Maria: “Thank you for listening”
Missy: “We want to remind you to stay proud of every language you know”
Brynn: “And we hope you enjoyed it!”
Everyone: “Bye”