Why Multilingualism Matters
Multilingualism empowers students to connect across cultures, think critically in diverse contexts, and thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
Language is a gateway to understanding, empathy, and global citizenship. Schools that value and support multilingualism foster inclusive environments where students’ identities and heritage languages are honored, while also preparing them to navigate academic and professional settings with confidence.
Embracing multilingualism aligns with our commitment to equity, student-centered learning, and continuous improvement across diverse educational communities.
Featured Partner:
The Multilingual Learning Research Center (MLRC)
WASC is proud to highlight its partnership with the Multilingual Learning Research Center (MLRC) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, a collaboration centered on strengthening multilingual practices and supporting schools in serving increasingly diverse student populations.
Through this partnership, WASC and the MLRC are working to elevate research-based, asset-oriented approaches to multilingualism across schools around the world. The collaboration reflects a shared belief that multilingualism is not limited to bilingual or dual-language programs. Rather, it is an important area of growth and opportunity for all schools seeking to create inclusive, equitable, and student-centered learning environments.
WASC serves nearly 700 international schools globally, and the organization has increasingly emphasized the importance of recognizing and supporting the linguistic diversity already present in school communities. As student populations continue to evolve, schools are being called to respond to a broader range of language backgrounds and learning needs. The MLRC School Network includes 150 schools across 60 countries who are connecting research and practice to improve outcomes for multilingual learners. This partnership with the MLRC helps schools meet this moment with stronger tools, deeper reflection, and research-informed practice.
As part of this work, WASC has integrated the MLRC School Improvement Framework into its updated Focus on Learning manual. This integration helps ensure that schools engaged in accreditation can connect WASC’s school-improvement process with research-based multilingual best practices, strengthening both reflection and implementation.
The partnership also reinforces a broader shared vision. Both WASC and the MLRC believe multilingualism empowers students to connect across cultures, think critically in diverse contexts, and thrive in an interconnected world. Schools that value and support multilingualism honor students’ identities and heritage languages while preparing them for success in academic, professional, and global settings.
By aligning accreditation, school improvement, and research-practice partnerships, WASC and the MLRC are helping schools move beyond compliance toward meaningful, sustainable change. Whether a school offers a full multilingual program or is just beginning to adopt more linguistically sustaining practices, this collaboration is designed to ensure that language is viewed not as a barrier, but as a bridge.
The Multilingual Learning Research Center (MLRC), housed within the Wisconsin Center for Education Research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Education, advances educational outcomes for multilingual learners through innovative and socially just research and research-practice partnerships. In addition to the School Network, the MLRC leads research studies focused on systems and teaching to support multilingual learners and engages US district leaders in collaborative learning cohorts to improve multilingual learner programs.
Member School Spotlights
How WASC Supports Multilingual Schools
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Provides a flexible, student-centered accreditation process that respects each school’s unique linguistic and cultural context
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Encourages schools to reflect on how multilingual programs align with their mission, goals, and student learning outcomes
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Includes visiting committee members with international and multilingual experience to offer relevant insights and support
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Recognizes language diversity as a strength and promotes inclusive, equitable learning environments
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Offers tailored guidance and resources for international, bilingual, and multilingual schools
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Fosters global partnerships that expand opportunities for collaboration and shared learning across language and cultural boundaries
Leverages the MLRC School Improvement Framework to support schools with multilingual learner programs, integrating this approach into the WASC Focus on Learning accreditation manual and thereby aligning multilingual-learner supports directly with school-wide improvement planning.
Resources
- EAL whitepaper: https://go.iscresearch.com/EAL2025whitepaper.pdf
- If you promote it, please use this link rather than the one above: Meeting the Challenges of Shifting Student Demographics: EAL Provision in International Schools – ISC Research
- Multilingualism webinar recording (it’s within our Community, so you/others will need to sign up for free to access the recording): Recording | ISC Research
- Website article: Is Every Teacher a Language Teacher? – ISC Research