Countries of immigration are becoming more and more multicultural and multilingual. Though all languages have the same function, there is a common idea that some languages, such as countries’ official languages and international languages like English, are better and more useful than others.

This has an impact on the emotions that children with migrant parents might feel towards the official language and the languages spoken at home, often leading them to be ashamed of their home language because they feel that it’s not as important as the majority language.

Michael: Tagalog is not important.

Amadou: Wolof is not as cool as English.

Fatima: Arabic is useless.

If children refuse to learn and speak their home language, parents may feel discouraged and decide not to speak to their children in their native language.

Amadou: I will speak only English

Amadou’s mother: Let’s speak only in English

Fatima’s father: Good idea!

Ana’s mother: Good idea!

Sometimes parents think that using their native language at home might make it more difficult for their children to learn the official language spoken at school.

The attitude that school and teachers have towards home languages is crucial. Sometimes teachers are worried that immigrant children might not learn the official language quickly enough.

Teacher: Will they learn quickly?

They might also be worried that other children feel left out if immigrant children talk to each other in their home language.

Teacher: Are all included?

For these reasons, some teachers may ask students to speak only the majority language at school.

Teacher: “Don’t speak your home language at school!”

Although it is important to promote learning of the official language, it should be strongly emphasised that all languages are important.

Teachers: All the languages you know are beautiful and important, never give up to learn them!

If the school doesn’t actively promote all languages, students can believe that the language spoken at school is more important than their home language.

Michael: English is more important.

Teachers can promote multilingualism by using approaches such as Translanguaging and Language Awareness.

Translanguaging is a teaching approach that encourages students to use different languages in class.

Teacher: Tell me what you think about this poem.

It works at its best when both the teacher and the students know the same languages; in this case, pupils can be asked to discuss a topic in one language and then write about it in another language.

Teacher: Try to write a poem: use the language you prefer!

Even teachers who can only speak one language can use translanguaging; in this case, they become co-learners and encourage students to use their home language in class even if they can’t speak the language themselves.

Teacher: Everyone can speak their language.

This way, pupils are allowed to express their ideas with whatever language tools they have available without having to stick to the majority language.