Meeting the Needs of Multilingual Students: Using Teacher-Reported Challenges and Successes for Teacher Preparation

Abstract

Preparing teachers to meet the needs of multilingual students is the goal of TESOL and Bilingual education programs in higher education. What these programs use to determine what these needs are can vary by location, faculty, and population of learners. This qualitative study surveyed in-service teachers applying for their TESOL or Bilingual endorsements in a college in the southwest United States. Research questions asked about the challenges and successes teachers face in meeting the needs of multilingual students and used this data to determine themes. The data showed that teachers encounter challenges meeting the needs of multilingual students in the areas of language differentiation, and Special Education. Conversely, teachers experienced success in building relationships and utilizing structural support. With this research, the aim is to use what teachers reported to make recommendations to teacher education programs and adapt our course content to what they need.