Unlocking Multilingual Minds: Bridging Language and Learning

Tired of seeing multilingual learners constrained by “English-only” approaches? This session explores how translanguaging can transform classrooms into inclusive, language-rich environments where all linguistic resources are valued as learning tools. Participants will discover practical strategies to support understanding, participation, and academic progress across subjects without lowering expectations. Through real classroom examples, this workshop demonstrates how to bridge language and content effectively, ensuring accessibility while maintaining rigor. Attendees will leave with practical, ready-to-use strategies that position every teacher as a language teacher in multilingual classrooms.

Presenter

Sharmilla Narkiran

EAL Coordinator
Help International School

Sharmilla Narkiran is a Head of EAL who builds strong, meaningful connections with multilingual learners, families, and teaching teams across diverse school contexts. She is currently working in an international school setting, where she supports the development of inclusive, language-aware classrooms and leads initiatives that strengthen access to learning for students acquiring English as an additional language. In her work with teachers, she designs and delivers practical strategies that help bridge the gap between language and content learning, ensuring that multilingual learners can fully engage with the curriculum.