Native Language @ ISB

Community Resources

March 5, 2021
by ISB Native Language Programs
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Multilingualism and the Sustainable Development Goals

Did you know? Multilingualism has been identified as key to achieving the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, considered a blueprint for a better future. This month—between UNESCO International Mother Language Day on February 21 and the International Day of Multilingualism on … Continue reading

December 3, 2020
by ISB Native Language Programs
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Four Resources for Parents of Multilinguals

Here are four resources shared at the recent Raising Multilinguals: How? parent workshop, which may help parents of multilingual children. (Click to enlarge!) The Native Language @ ISB blog lists several websites useful for parents of multilinguals. See the Bookmarks (at … Continue reading

April 30, 2020
by ISB Native Language Programs
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Audiobooks in Eight ISB Languages

Need some screen-free fun (and listening practice)? Children’s audiobooks in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Japanese are available free at Audible Stories: Discover during COVID-19. Options range from novels to storybooks like Der kleine Siebenschläfer (The Little Dormouse) by … Continue reading

November 14, 2019
by ISB Native Language Programs
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A Buffet of Bilingual Glossaries

When parents, faculty and administrators gathered for today’s Raising Multilinguals: How? workshop, they enjoyed a buffet of samosas, sushi, mangoes with sticky rice—and bilingual glossaries. The glossaries, organized by school subject and division (elementary, middle, high) are downloadable from the Metropolitan … Continue reading

February 27, 2018
by ISB Native Language Programs
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Helping Children Learn a Spouse’s Language

In many ISB families, the parents speak different native languages. Both hope their children will learn both. But what if one parent works late or travels frequently? Can the other parent help the children learn both languages? Yes! Yale linguist Claire Bowern writes that it is OK to … Continue reading

February 21, 2018
by ISB Native Language Programs
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Happy International Mother Language Day 2018!

Today is International Mother Language Day, an observance recognized by the United Nations and long celebrated by UNESCO, with the aim of promoting linguistic diversity and multilingualism— “keystones of sustainability and peace” on the UNESCO International Mother Language Day 2018 website. ISB … Continue reading

February 9, 2018
by ISB Native Language Programs
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“The Need Factor is Crucial” for Learning Language

François Grosjean is an emeritus professor of linguistics at Neuchâtel University, Switzerland, whose blog Life as a Bilingual appears in the Bookmarks on the right side of this blog. Grosjean has been quoted as saying “the need factor is crucial” for young multilinguals: They must experience regular … Continue reading