As a non-native English speaker who faced some hurdles along the way, I know firsthand the challenges multilingual learners face in classrooms where language can feel like a barrier rather than a bridge.  My experiences along with my education and experience in the field of English Language Teaching (ELT) - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) shaped my passion for creating learning environments where every student, regardless of their language background, feels safe, valued, and capable of success.

MISSION

The LEAVES Approach was born out of this mission:

     to affirm students' linguistic and cultural identities

     to help educators in all subject areas understand Second Language Acquisition

     to equip educators with the strategies that will help them create safe learning environments for Multilingual Learners to take risks and      not fear making mistakes

     to empower Multilingual learners in feeling confident that they CAN thrive in both language acquisition and content mastery.

​

Building Confidence Through a Safe Learning Environment

The importance of safe learning environment are often overlooked. Language acquisition flourishes when students feel confident, engaged, and supported.

Inspired by Stephen Krashen’s Natural Approach to Language Acquisition, LEAVES is deeply rooted in the idea that students acquire language best when they receive comprehensible input  in a low-anxiety environment.

🔹 Affective Filter & Confidence: When students feel stressed, anxious, or pressured to "get it right," their affective filter rises, blocking language acquisition. In a safe, affirming space, that filter lowers, allowing students to take risks, make mistakes without fear, and grow.

🔹 Affirming Identities: Every student brings a wealth of knowledge, language, and cultural richness to the classroom. LEAVES rejects assimilation and embraces affirmation, ensuring that multilingual learners see their home languages and cultures as strengths, not obstacles.

🔹 Language & Content Mastery, Hand in Hand: Students shouldn’t have to choose between mastering language and accessing content—they deserve both.

The LEAVES Approach ensures Multilingual Learners can engage in academic learning while developing their language skills naturally, through strategic scaffolding, meaningful exposure, and engaging instruction where the content is not simplified or diluted.

​

Please view the poster below to see what LEAVES actually 'stands for' - in both sense of the phrase.