Building Language and Literacy through Effective Multilingual Interactions

When / Where

16 Mar 2027 – 17 Mar 2027
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Asia/Singapore

Early years educators help young children develop critical language and literacy from their first day in the classroom, but strategies designed for monolingual learners may not work as well for children growing up with two or more languages. This interactive session offers practical, research-based strategies educators can use immediately to build language and literacy across all of a child’s languages. Participants will examine recent research on the value of two-way interactions and take part in practical demonstrations and conversations that support oral language, comprehension, and communication. Examples from the field will show how play and responsive interactions can create authentic learning experiences that meet each child where they are.

Objectives
At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Interpret recent research that guides best practices for multilingual early learning classrooms
  • Increase opportunities for two-way instructional conversations with all young children, adjusting for children who are multilingual learners
  • Examine how the recommended literacy supports can be personalized for their own classroom and the languages spoken by their students

Outline 
Session 1: Oral Language and Conversation as Foundations for Language and Literacy Development

  • Introduction of recent research on multilingual language learning and literacy
  • Discussion of language and literacy goals and needs of young multilingual learners
  • Best practices for supporting two-way instructional conversations
  • Techniques for supporting oral language experiences

Session 2: Specialized Oral Language and Literacy Strategies for Multilingual Learners

  • Strategies for enhancing comprehension and communication for multilingual learners in early childhood classrooms
  • Strategies for enhancing expressive language and communication for multilingual learners
  • Implementation examples for vocabulary bridging, translanguaging, and cognate words
  • Personalized planning for implementation

Presenter’s Profile
Karen N., Ed.M. is an author and speaker focusing on improving early education for children who are multilingual learners. She has written more than a dozen books and many articles on this topic, including two new books in 2026: Many Languages, One Classroom 2nd edition and Universal Design for the Early Childhood Classroom 3rd edition with Pamela Brillante. She has served in leadership roles for the International TESOL organization, National Association for the Education of Young Children, and National Association for Bilingual Education. She has presented in person and virtually across all of the United States as well as the U.K. and other countries.

Methodology
This online workshop presents key foundational information and engages participants in active discussion and demonstrations using videos, observations, and self-reflection.

Platform
Zoom
A Zoom account is not required if you are strictly joining Zoom Meetings as a participant. An email invite will be emailed to you prior to the live workshop. Before joining a Zoom meeting on a computer or mobile device, you can download the Zoom app from the Download Center. Otherwise, you will be prompted to download and install Zoom when you click a join link.

Download Zoom Mobile Apps for iPhone or Android
Download Zoom Client for Meetings

Target Audience
Teachers, specialists, school leaders, and administrators in programs for children aged birth through 6 years.

Fees
1 person: SGD397.00 (USD317.00)/person
2 to 4 person: SGD372.00 (USD297.00)/person
5 person & more: SGD327.00 (USD267.00/person)
E-certificate will be issued

Other Details
Duration: 2 days, 6 hours
Closing Date:  9 Mar 2027

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