B.U. Education Students Explore Multilingual Education at LFS Conference: Insights from Bianca Emmell-Tierney, Emily Miller, and Emilie Francoeur

The Language Friendly School (LFS) Conference, funded by a SSHRC Connection Grant, was led by Dr. Emmanuelle Le Pichon (University of Toronto) along with a team of researchers from universities across Canada, including Dr. Sunny Lau from Bishop’s University. Held at Glendale Secondary School in Hamilton, Ontario on May 25, 2024, this LFS event provided a platform to showcase the benefits of a plurilingual approach to education.

Dr. Lau’s research assistants had the privilege of attending the conference and touring the school. From the plurilingual signs decorating the walls, to the student choir’s beautiful rendition of the Canadian national anthem, the school demonstrated the multilingual diversity of its students, who speak languages such as German, Arabic, French, and more. A standout moment was the performance of an Arabic poem by two students which enriched the event and boosted the students’ confidence by allowing them to express themselves in their mother tongue.

The concept of Language Friendly Schools was new to many attendees, but the conference in Toronto convincingly demonstrated its value. By fostering inclusion and equity, these schools help students develop both cognitive and social skills. Attendees heard numerous accounts of students being bullied, rejected, or punished for speaking their home languages in traditional school settings. Such negative experiences often lead to an aversion to the target language and a sense of alienation from their own identity. However, the presentations at the conference emphasized that recognizing all languages as equal can prevent these issues, enabling students to engage fully with their learning.

Dr Lau’s research assistants, Bianca, Emily, and Emilie discovered that Language Friendly Schools not only benefit students but also create opportunities for greater community involvement. For instance, one workshop highlighted an initiative where mothers gathered at the school to bake bread and share cultural stories with each other and the students. This initiative fostered a supportive relationship between home and school, promoting a collaborative rather than adversarial dynamic.

As students pursuing degrees in Teaching English as a Second Language, Bianca, Emily, and Emilie found it particularly inspiring to meet and listen to Dr. Jim Cummins, a leading expert in bilingual education. His insights reinforced the importance of plurilingual education and inspired them to advocate for broader adoption of the Language Friendly Schools model.

Left to right: Emily Miller (Elementary major), Jacqueline Mallais (Pedagogical Consultant), Emilie Francoeur (TESL major), Professor Sunny Lau, Professor Emeritus Jim Cummins (University of Toronto), Bianca Emmell-Tierney (TESL major).