About Us

Mission

The Western Massachusetts Bilingual Hub provides bilingual and dual language teachers preparation; supports the implementation of research-based bilingual and dual language programs and praxis as the reflection and action on transformative practices; and sustains bilingualism and multiculturalism for equity, inclusion, and social justice.

Vision

The University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Western Massachusetts Bilingual Hub is committed to increasing opportunities and inclusion through bilingual dual language education.

Values

The values of the Western Massachusetts Bilingual Hub are timeless and seldom change. 

Strategic Priorities

The Western Massachusetts Bilingual Hub supports its vision through four strategic priorities:

• Prepare bilingual and dual language teachers through flexible coursework leading to the endorsement in bilingual education that provides them with the training necessary to be agents for change in dual language bilingual education programs.
• Support the implementation of dual language programs by providing consulting that focuses on the assets of every school and that supports the implementation of rigorous dual language education that is tailored to community, school district, and statewide needs.
• Promote bilingualism, biliteracy and bilingual dual language education through professional development, consulting, coursework, and initiatives supported through state and national funds that are aligned with contemporary research in bilingualism and educational sciences.
• Research multiple aspects of bilingualism, biliteracy and bilingual dual language education as a support of the first three strategies through research projects made possible through state and federal funds that advance our understanding of the impacts of these programs on students’ achievement, bilingual proficiency, and sociocultural development.

The Western Massachusetts Bilingual Hub accomplishes these priorities by: 

• Providing bilingual and dual language teacher preparation
• Supporting the implementation of research-based bilingual and dual-language programs
• Promote critical consciousness praxis as the reflection and action on transformative practices
• Sustaining bilingualism and multiculturalism for equity, inclusion, and social justice
• Supporting districts navigating policies at the regional, state, and federal levels that address bilingualism/biliteracy and multiculturalism
• Providing professional development in the systematic and strategic implementation of instructional methods that promote high academic achievement in both program languages
• Providing professional development, collaboration, and networking opportunities for educators who teach linguistically diverse student populations
• Guiding districts as they organize activities with families and communities to foster sociocultural competence among language learners
• Disseminating continuous research findings that build and expand on the current knowledge base of bilingual education and dual language programs

Benefits of the Bilingual Hub:

• Strong relationships among districts, DLE experts, and professional organizations
• Opportunities for evidence-based professional development via UMass resources
• Experienced and committed leadership and staff personnel  
• Multicultural and multilingual leadership and staff personnel  
• Leadership and staff personnel with expansive knowledge and expertise in PreK–12 DLE
• Research-based consultation services
• Evidence-based professional development
• Value-driven organization
• Community involvement and input 
• Excellent communication and accountability