Why Parent Engagement Matters for Multilingual Learners

For multilingual pupils to thrive, their parents need to feel fully included in school life. If parents don’t understand the day-to-day running of the school, children risk missing out, whether that’s turning up in uniform on non-uniform days, not being invited to parties, or missing out on key events.

Clear Communication is Key

Schools must make sure their communication is crystal clear. Online translating tools and AI (like ChatGPT) make things easier, but they can’t replace face-to-face contact between schools and parents.

What I Notice as a Parent

As a parent at a local primary school myself, I see the barriers firsthand:

• Parents switching from their home language to English as they reach the classroom door
• Families excluded from class WhatsApp groups
• Parents and students absent from socials, nativities, and school discos

These aren’t signs of disinterest; they’re signs of language barriers.

Parents Want to Be Involved

When it comes to parents’ evenings, multilingual families often need personalised support to prepare. Time to brainstorm the questions they want to ask makes a huge difference. With the right support, parents feel confident, informed, and ready to actively engage in their child’s learning.

How I Can Help

That’s why I offer personalised ESOL classes for parents, delivered through schools. These can be weekly or monthly, tailored to your setting, and designed to give families the tools they need to engage fully in school life.

📩 Get in touch to find out how parent ESOL classes could work in your school.