Supporting Neuro-Multilingual Learners

About The Badge

Neuro-multilingualism in Practice: Serving Neurodivergent Multilingual Learners in International Schools.

The Neuro-multilingualism Learning Badge is a workshop series designed to deepen international educators' understanding of the complex intersection between neurodiversity and multilingualism. Moving away from traditional "one-size-fits-all" approaches, this badge equips participants with assets-based frameworks to accurately identify student strengths and areas for growth.

Drawing on collaborative international research from the Multilingual Learning Research Center and action research conducted in AMISA schools, this series targets a critical challenge in international schools: how to serve the needs of neurodiverse multilingual learners in mainstream classrooms and through individualized Language and Learning Support services. Participants will engage with concrete, evidence-based tools to build more inclusive, responsive programming that honors a student’s unique linguistic and cognitive background.

Course Timeline & Weekly Structure

• Week 1: Foundations & Frameworks (Live Session)

Dive into the science of neuro-multilingualism and explore the intersection of neurodiversity and multilingualism. We will break down effective models and collaborative identification procedures used across international schools to help you look past a single diagnostic lens and focus on a student's holistic strengths.

• Week 2: Try It Out! (Asynchronous Application)

Apply your learning directly within your unique school role. Participants will select one role-specific, asset-based tool from our toolkit to try out on campus: Classroom Teachers & Specialists can use an observation guide to map a specific student's linguistic strengths; Counselors & Learning Support can audit a current student support profile; while School Leaders can use our macro-framework to audit an existing campus inclusion policy.

• Week 3: Collaborative Reflection & Next Steps (Live Session)

Reconnect to share insights, triumphs, and friction points from your week of application. We will workshop real scenario challenges, synthesize best practices for shifting school cultures toward assets-based models, and map out sustainable next steps for your campus.

What You Will Learn

• Analyze the Intersection: Understand the cognitive profiles of neurodivergent multilingual learners to better distinguish between language acquisition patterns and learning differences.

• Implement Role-Specific Asset Frameworks: Utilize data, policy audits, or observation practices to map student and systemic strengths.

• Refine Multidisciplinary Pathways: Explore clear, collaborative procedures that prevent the over- or under-referral of multilingual learners to Learning Support services.

• Foster School-Wide Collaboration: Build cohesive communication and planning structures between Language Specialists, Learning Support, Counselors, and School Leaders to design integrated, whole-child student plans.