What's New at the Bilingual Hub
Bilingual Hub Dialogues 2026
March 28, 2026 · Southbridge High School
On Saturday, March 28, 2026, the UMass Amherst Bilingual Hub and Southbridge Public Schools co-hosted the inaugural Bilingual Hub Dialogues 2026 workshop at Southbridge High School. Educators, school and district leaders, university faculty, students, alumni, and community partners from across Massachusetts gathered for a day of dialogue, reflection, and collective learning centered on equity in bilingual and dual language education.
The day featured welcoming remarks, an overview of bilingual education frameworks in Massachusetts, and an interactive workshop on identity in dual language education. Reflective, movement-based activities invited participants to explore how language, race, migration, and schooling have shaped their professional identities — moments many described as powerful and transformative.
A highlight of the afternoon was Rhythms, Words, and Movement: A Celebration of Culture, a performance by 8th and 9th grade Dual Language students from Southbridge Public Schools that moved many attendees to tears and renewed their commitment to advocacy for multilingual learners.
Throughout the day, participants emphasized the value of community — connecting with colleagues across districts, learning from one another, and leaving with a renewed sense of shared purpose.
"The Bilingual Hub Dialogues were intentionally designed to center people, not presentations. Participant voices, experiences, and commitments were the heart of this gathering, and they will continue to guide this work moving forward." — Dr. Marialuisa Di Stefano
Attendees expressed strong interest in continuing these conversations, with reflections pointing to classroom practices, model dual language programs, culturally sustaining pedagogy, and ongoing spaces for collaboration. The inaugural workshop felt — in many participants' words — like the beginning of an important, long-term conversation.
Stay tuned for upcoming Bilingual Hub Dialogues events.
UMass Amherst Bilingual Hub Hosts Italian Translanguaging Professional Development Series
The UMass Amherst Bilingual Hub recently hosted an innovative three-part professional development series on translanguaging in STEAM education for Italian language teachers, sponsored by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through the Italian Consulate in Boston, with additional support from the Massachusetts Italian Teachers Association (MITA) and the American Association of Teachers of Italian (AATI).
The series brought together theory, practice, and collaborative curriculum design, featuring guest scholars from two Italian universities. While two sessions were held online, a hands-on workshop took place in person at the UMass Amherst Charles River Campus in Newton. Participants explored how translanguaging strategies can enrich STEAM learning in Italian language classrooms, culminating in the development and presentation of multilingual curricular units.
🔗 Read the full story on the UMass Amherst News site
International Symposium and Workshop: Unlocking the Opportunities of Bilingual Education in the Americas
On October 25, 2025, the UMass Amherst Bilingual Hub hosted the International Symposium and Workshop: Unlocking the Opportunities of Bilingual Education in the Americas at the College of Education’s Furcolo Hall. Supported by the CLACLS 2025 Faculty Visioning Grant, this event brought together scholars, educators, and community leaders from across the U.S. and Latin America to explore how bilingual education can promote multilingual learning, equity, and innovation.
The program featured inspiring keynotes by Dr. Anne-Marie Truscott, Dr. Joel Alejandro Mejía, and Dr. Norbella Miranda, as well as presentations and workshops led by Dr. Daniel Toro González and Dr. Mejía. Participants engaged in rich discussions on biliteracy, interculturality, and the integration of Indigenous and STEM perspectives in bilingual education. The day concluded with Salsa-Con-Tacos, a cultural networking event celebrating Latinx heritage and community.
With over 75 registered participants attending in person and online, and excellent feedback on the quality and relevance of the sessions, the symposium successfully expanded UMass’s bilingual education research network and strengthened partnerships with Massachusetts school districts. It also laid the foundation for future collaborative research and externally funded projects.
Advocating for Bilingual Education
The Western Massachusetts Bilingual Hub (WMBH) at UMass Amherst stands in solidarity with our international and immigrant community members. We reaffirm our commitment to fostering a campus rooted in dignity, equity, and inclusion, and supporting bilingual and multilingual students and educators from historically minoritized communities. We oppose the closure of the Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) and urge policymakers to prioritize the needs of bilingual students and educators to ensure fair access to high-quality education for all.
Bilingual Hub Dialogues (2025)
The Bilingual Hub Dialogues is an initiative of the Western Massachusetts Bilingual Hub, created to foster meaningful connections between current teachers/students and alumni. These in-person events are designed to cultivate a space for dialogue, networking, and collaboration among teachers committed to driving positive change in education and beyond. Each event will focus on diverse topics, empowering participants to share experiences, insights, and strategies for advancing bilingualism and equity in our communities. Join us as we build a vibrant, supportive network dedicated to shaping a more inclusive future through bilingual education. This Spring semester 2025 we will host the following events:
1. LANGUAGE PLANNING AND POLICY ENACTMENT IN SPECIALIZED MULTILINGUAL SETTINGS (Registration form)
- Presenters:
- Emma Britton, Visiting Lecturer, UMass College of Education
- MariaLuisa Di Stefano, Associate Professor, UMass College of Education
- Date: Friday March 7th, 2025
- Time: 4:00 – 6:30 PM
- Location: UMass Amherst Center at Springfield, Room 033
2. BEYOND MONOLINGUAL TESTING AND ASSESSMENT: INNOVATIONS AND CONCERNS (Registration form)
- Presenter: Kevin S. Carroll PhD, College of Education, Department of Graduate Studies, University of Puerto Rico
- Date: Wednesday April 9th, 2025
- Time: 5:30 – 8:00 PM
- Location: College of Education, UMass Amherst – Furcolo Hall – 102
Bilingual Hub Dialogues (2024)
During the fall semester 2024 we hosted the following events:
1. Classroom Discourse and Literacy Development (Registration form)
- Presenter: Meg Gebhard, Professor, UMass College of Education
- Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
- Time: 4:00 – 6:30 PM
- Location: UMass Amherst Henry M. Thomas III Center at Springfield
2. Cultivating Future Innovators: Equity and Problem-Solving in STEM Education (Registration form)
- Presenter: Christine M. Cunningham, Senior VP of STEM Learning, Museum of Science, Boston
- Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024
- Time: 4:00 – 6:30 PM
- Location: College of Education, UMass Amherst – Furcolo Hall, Classroom 102.
3. Multilingualism and Society (Registration form)
- Presenter: Edward Contreras, Associate Professor, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico
- Date: Friday, October 25, 2024
- Time: 4:00 – 6:30 PM
- Location: UMass Amherst Center at Springfield
Campus Bridge
The Campus Bridge helps schools foster bilingual and intercultural competencies through online collaborative learning experiences. This service supports the Hub's goal of preparing bilingual and dual language teachers by providing tools and support for effective bilingual education.
Campus Bridge connects Massachusetts schools with schools in other countries, enabling students and teachers to engage in language and cultural exchanges. These interactions promote bilingualism, biliteracy, and dual language education, offering students authentic opportunities to practice language and develop intercultural understanding.
By integrating Campus Bridge, schools can enhance their Bilingual, Dual or World Language programs and prepare students for a globalized world. Schools participating: Colegio La Concepción (Bolívar, Colombia), Smith Academy (Hadley, MA) and Hopkins Academy (Hadley, MA).
New cohorts of students
For the Fall 2024 semester, WMBH welcomes 17 teachers in two programs. Eight teachers will begin the sixth cohort of the Bilingual and Dual Language Education program and nine teachers will begin the Bilingual, ESL, & Multicultural Education Master's.
Students cohort 7 BEM
Seal of Biliteracy
- Through the work of the Western Massachusetts Bilingual Hub, high school students who obtain the Seal of Biliteracy will be able to transfer up to 15 college credits at UMass Amherst, no matter what language they speak at home. We value multilingualism and multiculturalism on our campus and hope that more students feel that their ability to speak and write in multiple languages makes them stand out. University Registrar Seal of Biliteracy webpage
- The UMass WMBH organized the 2024 Biliteracy Awards ceremony in partnership with Amherst Regional Public Schools and Holyoke Public Schools. Congratulations to the recipients of the Seal of Biliteracy and all younger multilinguals who obtained pathway awards.
FAQs about dual language bilingual education
The Western Massachusetts Bilingual Hub has recently prepared a list of easy-to-understand questions and answers about dual language bilingual education. The documents are available for free (here) in English and Spanish and are a useful resource for parents, teachers, school administrators, or other members of the community who are interested in learning more about this excellent method of education for all children.
Support for MTEL preparation
- We are taking advantage of artificial intelligence to help teachers to prepare for and pass their Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure exams and to learn more about the requirements for teacher endorsement and certification. Interested educators should visit this webpage for support in understanding the requirements for obtaining an endorsement or licensure.
- Those who are interested in practicing the communications and literacy MTEL exam may wish to use this free guide on ChatGPT developed by Daniel Toro Gonzalez, WMBH postdoctoral fellow.