UMass Amherst Hosts International Symposium on Bilingual Education

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The University of Massachusetts Amherst brought together educators, researchers, and community leaders from across the Americas for the symposium and workshop, “Unlocking the Opportunities of Bilingual Education in the Americas.” Organized by the UMass Amherst Bilingual Hub and sponsored by the Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies (CLACLS) through its 2025 Faculty Visioning Grant along with the Riccio College of Engineering, the symposium highlighted how bilingualism serves as a bridge between cultures, disciplines, and communities.

A Day of Learning, Collaboration, and Celebration

The full-day program included keynote presentations, research talks, interactive workshops, and a closing cultural event that united academic and community audiences.

Opening remarks were delivered by Gregory J. Kelly, dean of the College of Education; Patricia Gubitosi, director of CLACLS; and Elenita Irizarry Ramos, bilingual education lead at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Keynote speakers included Anne-Marie Truscott, an expert in bilingual education and intercultural sensitivity; Joel Alejandro Mejía, a national award-winning engineering educator whose work connects bilingualism with Indigenous knowledge systems; and Norbella Miranda, who joined virtually from Colombia to speak about multilingualism and equity in education.

UMass Bilingual Hub Coordinator Daniel Toro González presented findings from his research on the comparative cost analysis of dual-language bilingual education and traditional schooling in Massachusetts, contributing to ongoing efforts to strengthen data-informed policy and practice.

Mejía and González encouraged hands-on collaboration in workshops on "Funds of Knowledge in Bilingual STEM Classrooms" and "Cost-Benefit Analysis in Bilingual Education." The day concluded with a community-building celebration, “Salsa-Con-Tacos,” featuring social dancing.

Expanding Partnerships and Impact

The symposium drew over 75 participants in person and online, representing educators, students, and leaders from across Massachusetts and Latin America. A post-event survey revealed enthusiastic feedback, with participants rating the quality of speakers (4.84/5), diversity of perspectives (4.84/5), and overall organization (4.79/5) at the highest levels.

Beyond its academic success, the symposium strengthened the university’s partnerships with school districts and bilingual education advocates, fostering a shared vision for equitable, multilingual education. 

Looking Ahead

The event laid the foundation for new research collaborations and externally funded projects, including interdisciplinary initiatives connecting bilingual education with STEM and social justice frameworks.

According to Associate Professor Marialuisa Di Stefano, director of the UMass Amherst Bilingual Hub, “The symposium highlighted the transformative potential of integrating STEM disciplinary biliteracy with the rich funds of knowledge that students and educators bring from their local and global communities. It was more than a space for sharing research: it was a vibrant exchange that reaffirmed bilingualism as a powerful educational and social resource, fostering inclusive and interdisciplinary collaboration across borders.”

About the UMass Bilingual Hub

The UMass Amherst Bilingual Hub is a vibrant, collaborative initiative supported by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education through the 181 grant. Led by Southbridge Public Schools for the 2026–2027 cycle, in partnership with the UMass Amherst College of Education, the Hub brings together a committed alliance of school districts—including Amherst, Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Pittsfield, Springfield, and Waltham. Together, these districts and the university are working to advance bilingual education, expand the pipeline of qualified educators, and co-design innovative programs that support bilingual learners across the region.

For more information about the Bilingual Hub, visit https://www.umass.edu/education/organizations/umass-amherst-bilingual-hub.