Publicly affirming multilingual students when peers challenge their language use, and building on their contributions regardless of which language they use.
At a glance
When: A student mixes languages and a classmate objects.
Remember: How you handle this teaches every student in the room what's valued here.
What strong practice looks like — and why.
The scenario you saw
A student answers a classroom question using words from both English and their home language — mixing the two fluidly. Another student says 'We only speak English here.' How do you respond?
Before you read on — what would you do here? Picture your move, then reveal how strong practice handles it.
Address it in the moment, calmly and firmly, so the whole class hears. 'Actually, thinking in two languages at the same time is a skill.' Then build on the ELL student's answer using what they said, in whatever language. What you don't do is let the comment stand, redirect without addressing it, or respond only in English. How you handle this moment teaches every student in the room what is valued here.
Why this works
A classmate's 'we only speak English here' isn't a side comment — it's a moment that teaches the whole room what's valued, so silence or a quiet redirect lets the wrong message stand. Using two languages at once is a cognitive skill, not a rule break, and naming that calmly and publicly both corrects the norm and affirms the student. Then you build on what the student actually said, in whatever language, so the affirmation is real and not just a correction aimed at the peer. Handling it privately afterward protects one student's feelings but misses the chance to set the norm for the class.
What to look for
Recall is where it sticks — a few quick scenarios.
Reading is useful, but recall is where it sticks. Three short scenarios, low-stakes, no scoring — about 3 minutes. You can stop any time.
Start the practice set →Short on time? Start with the first one.
Colorín Colorado
Guidance on affirming students' home languages and cultures in the classroom, including strategies for responding to peer language policing.