Languages matter: global guidance on multilingual education

Linguistic diversity, multilingualism and multilingual education matter
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development promises to leave no one behind. However, over a quarter of a billion learners still lack access to education in the language they understand best, deepening the global learning crisis and hindering progress on economic growth and sustainable development. Multilingual education (MLE) can play a critical role in achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 4 on inclusive, quality education for all, and supports SDGs related to economic growth (SDG 8), reducing inequality (SDG 10), promoting peaceful societies (SDG 16), and climate action (SDG 13).To achieve these outcomes, MLE requires a transformative shift in education policy and practice. The guide aims therefore to encourage systemic change in education systems.

The guide is intended primarily for educational policymakers and key educational stakeholders at all levels of decision-making, including national and subnational levels. Secondary users of the guidance include school administrators, teachers and educators, as well as the entire education community. The first section of the guide analyses multilingualism and multilingual education (MLE) and the use of MLE principles in various contexts to support the SDGs. This section highlights, with supporting evidence, the cognitive, social and economic benefits of multilingual education. The second section details step-by-step practical actions for multilingual education that policymakers and implementers can take to launch or strengthen MLE programmes.

More
Year:
Organisation:
UNESCO
Marginalized & Vulnerable group:
All
Topic:
Curriculum, Gender inequalities, ICTs, Inclusive Pedagogy & Practices, Language of Instruction, Physical Learning Environment, Educational Staff Professional Development
Level of Education:
Across the education sector
Type of Resources:
Guidelines and Tools
Country/Region:
All, Africa, Arab States, Asia & the Pacific, Europe & North America, Latin America & the Caribbean
Language of Publication:
English, French, Spanish
Go to resource
Available in: