Affirming not Assimilating
A whole-school approach to creating inclusive, language-aware international schools where multilingual learners thrive
Language Exposure and Acquisition through Validation, Engagement and Scaffolding (LEAVES) helps schools create language-aware ecosystems where multilingual learners can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
What is LEAVES?
LEAVES stands for Language Exposure and Acquisition through Validation, Engagement and Scaffolding.
The LEAVES Approach/Framework 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, These strategies are called BUDs (Brief, Useful and Doable Strategies).
-
to empower Multilingual learners in feeling confident that they CAN thrive in both language acquisition and content mastery.
The framework positions meaningful language exposure and acquisition as the outcome of three interconnected mechanisms:
Validation: identity safety and linguistic affirmation.
Engagement: meaningful participation and academic interaction.
Scaffolding: access to rigorous curriculum through temporary support.
How LEAVES Began
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.
Throughout my work in international schools, I noticed that multilingual learners were often viewed through a deficit lens. Many highly capable students were navigating both language and content simultaneously. yet language proficiency was frequently hindering the way - reducing their confidence, not being able to express their identities and their knowledge.
What would happen if schools intentionally designed systems that affirmed, validated and supported multilingual learners from the outset?
LEAVES emerged from that question.
The Philosophy: Affirming not Assimiliating
Many multilingual learners enter English-medium international schools with rich linguistic, cultural, and educational experiences. Yet, intentionally or unintentionally, they are often expected to adapt to systems that were not designed with them in mind.LEAVES is built on the belief that multilingual learners should not have to leave parts of themselves behind in order to succeed. Rather than viewing students' languages and cultures as barriers to overcome, LEAVES promotes language-aware, identity-affirming practices that help multilingual learners participate, belong, and thrive.The goal is not assimilation. The goal is affirmation.