Western Massachusetts Bilingual Hub Awarded Visioning Grant

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Amherst, MA — The Western Massachusetts Bilingual Hub (WMBH), based at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has been awarded a Visioning Grant for Faculty Research Initiatives by the Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies (CLACLS). This grant supports the organization of the international symposium and workshop, "Unlocking the Opportunities of Bilingual Education in the Americas," scheduled to take place at the beginning of the Fall 2025 semester.

The event will bring together scholars, graduate students, PreK–12 educators, and policymakers from across the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean to explore the benefits and cost-effectiveness of bilingual dual language (BDL) education.

Participants will engage in interactive sessions on how to evaluate and advocate for sustainable BDL programs using cost-benefit analysis frameworks.

“This symposium is more than a one-day event; it is a cornerstone of a broader research agenda designed to inform educational policy and empower communities through data-driven bilingual education,” said Dr. Marialuisa Di Stefano, director of the WMBH and associate professor in the College of Education.

With keynote speakers from the Caribbean and Latin American countries, the symposium reflects WMBH’s commitment to international collaboration and to bridging academic, pedagogical, and community-based efforts. It will serve as a launchpad for future external funding opportunities and long-term partnerships in bilingual education research and practice.

The grant underscores the shared mission of CLACLS and WMBH to promote diversity, equity, and international engagement through interdisciplinary initiatives. Half of the symposium’s seats will be reserved for graduate students affiliated with CLACLS, with the remaining places open to educators from WMBH partner school districts collaborating with the Western Massachusetts Bilingual Hub.