Using Research to Transform Multilingual Schools

By Esther Bettney, MLRC

In today’s diverse educational landscape, international schools are increasingly focused on supporting the success of multilingual learners. Rather than viewing multilingualism as a challenge, many educators now see it as an incredible asset—a superpower that can enrich school communities and prepare students for a globalized world. 

The Multilingual Learning Research Center (MLRC), a research-practice partnership based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is dedicated to advancing innovative and socially-just research to improve outcomes for multilingual learners. 

The MLRC has outlined four key principles to create thriving learning environments for multilingual students:

• Multilingualism as a Superpower: Instead of seeing multiple languages as an obstacle, schools should actively recognize and leverage multilingualism as a powerful resource. Research shows that multilingual students often develop enhanced cognitive skills and a broader worldview. Educators can tap into this potential by creating a classroom culture that celebrates and encourages the use of all languages. 

  
  

• The Power of Action Research: A key component of the MLRC's work is empowering educators to engage in action research. This process allows school-based teams to collaboratively investigate their own problems of practice, using systematic inquiry to find contextually relevant solutions. This approach has the potential to not only improve student outcomes but also build the capacity and confidence of teachers to lead change within their schools. 

  
  

• Inclusive Language Policies: The MLRC Language Policy Working Group supports educators and schools in the development of inclusive language policies. These policies go beyond simply accommodating different languages; they actively promote the use of all languages as tools for learning. This includes strategies like translanguaging, where students and teachers fluidly use multiple languages to make meaning and deepen understanding. 

  
  

• Bridging Research and Practice: The MLRC acts as a crucial link between university-based research and the day-to-day realities of international school classrooms. Through events like AMISA’s EdCon, the MLRC shares actionable insights on topics such as teacher collaboration, translanguaging, and inclusive learning. This partnership model ensures that educational practices are informed by the latest research, while also providing researchers connections with valuable, real-world contexts.

  
  

AMISA schools are leading this charge. A powerful example of this work will be shared at the upcoming AMISA LeadCon (October 22-24, 2025). In their session, "Navigating Change through Research: A Case Study of Research-Informed Collaborative Practices at the International School of Panama (ISP)," Dr. Esther Bettney Heidt, MLRC School Network Researcher, and Summer Alcauter, ISP Coordinator of Multilingual & Blended Learning, will present how ISP embarked on an action research journey by attending a MLRC Research Symposium, hosted by the American School of Guatemala in January 2023.

Facing a situation where traditional support models were not meeting the needs of all students, the ISP team began to reimagine how classroom teachers, learning assistants, and support specialists could work together more effectively. This case study will chronicle their process of using research to develop collaborative teaching models, highlighting both their successes and the challenges they faced, particularly around building trust and communication. The session will empower participants to apply the same action research principles to their own schools, identifying a core challenge and charting a path forward to improve student and teacher outcomes.

Get involved. The MLRC Research Symposium brings these principles to life across the globe. These vibrant two-day, in-person workshops are designed to help educators dive into collaborative research, explore practical strategies for supporting multilingual learners, and develop action research plans. These in-person workshops are followed by four months of online coaching to support teams in engaging in action research in their schools. 

• The MLRC Research Symposium is scheduled for November 15-16 at the International School of Panama, offering a unique opportunity for educators in the region to connect, learn, and grow together. Find out more and register here.

  
  

• Early bird deadline is Friday, September 12.

About the Author

Esther Bettney Heidt, PhD is a School Network Researcher at the Multilingual Learning Research Center (MLRC), part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With over two decades of experience in international education as an educator and researcher, her work focuses on supporting multilingual learners and empowering teachers through action research. She has a strong record of publications in academic journals and frequently presents at international conferences, with her work often centered on language ideologies, policies, and practices that promote equitable outcomes for all students.