What's New at the Bilingual Hub

Bilingual Hub Dialogues

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 fall semester 2024 we will host 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
Bilingual Hub Dialogues 2024

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

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. We will provide a link to the University Registrar webpage for more information click here.
  • 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.