In a rapidly evolving educational landscape where diversity and inclusion are at the forefront, the challenge of supporting multilingual learners (MLLs) and newcomer students has never been more pressing. With schools across the U.S. grappling with resource gaps, limited teacher training, and the unique needs of students who speak English as a second language, the need for innovative solutions has never been more urgent.
Enter Britannica Education, a leading provider of educational resources, tools, and professional development services. Recognizing the growing population of MLLs and newcomer students in U.S. schools, Britannica Education has unveiled a suite of new features, services, and products aimed at empowering teachers to better support these students on their academic and social journey.
Empowering Educators to Support Multilingual Learners
Lori Lynch, vice president of professional development at Britannica Education, aptly describes the current situation as a “perfect storm.” Schools are facing a myriad of challenges, including a lack of tools for diverse languages, the need for differentiated support across language levels, limited professional development resources, and a lack of preparedness to address the social needs of newcomer students. In response to these challenges, Britannica Education has introduced a range of new products, including Hello Britannica.
Hello Britannica offers a comprehensive set of tools and resources to help teachers enhance English language learning for MLLs and newcomer students. From interactive real-world practice activities to structured learning pathways and extended learning tools, Hello Britannica equips educators with the resources they need to support students both inside and outside the classroom. Additionally, the platform provides educators with tools and strategies tailored to teachers of all experience levels, ensuring that every teacher has the support they need to help their students succeed.
Bridging the Gap: Meeting the Needs of Multilingual Learners
Joan Jacobsen, chief product officer at Britannica Education and a former educator, emphasizes the company’s commitment to providing robust learning materials and purposeful teacher training to address the unique challenges faced by English learners and their teachers. Platforms like Britannica School and Expedition: Learn! offer features specifically designed to meet the needs of multilingual learners, such as the English/Spanish toggle in Britannica School Early Elementary, which allows young bilingual students to seamlessly switch between languages for enhanced comprehension and exposure to English.
In addition to these digital platforms, Britannica’s Professional Learning programs provide educators with interactive sessions and coaching tailored to digital solutions and classroom strategies, with a specific focus on supporting newcomers and multilingual learners. By equipping educators with the knowledge and tools they need to effectively support MLLs and newcomer students, Britannica Education is playing a crucial role in bridging the gap and ensuring that all students have access to quality education.
As Lori Lynch, vice president of professional development at Britannica Education, succinctly puts it, “This is one of the biggest challenges in preK-12 education today. We must meet it head-on—failure is not an option.”
About Britannica Education, a part of the Britannica Group, has a rich history spanning over 250 years and is a global leader in digital educational technology and content. By partnering with educators, school districts, libraries, ministries, and media companies worldwide, Britannica Education is dedicated to inspiring student curiosity and providing comprehensive resources to meet the evolving needs of teaching and learning in the 21st century. To learn more about Britannica Education’s innovative digital solutions and professional learning services, visit britannicaeducation.com.
Author: eSchool Media staff cover education technology in all its aspects, providing news and information to help K-20 decision-makers successfully use technology and innovation to transform schools and colleges and achieve their educational goals. If you have a great resource to share, let us know at submissions@eschoolmedia.com.
