Special miniseries, Episode 2

Nurturing multilingualism, with Jim Cummins, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus Jim Cummins, Ph.D., joins Susan Lambert from the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education for an engaging conversation that explores the dynamics of language development and bilingual education, as well as the importance of a supportive learning environment for multilingual/English learners (ML/ELs). Cummins shares stories from his extensive experience and research in the field, highlighting the cognitive benefits of bilingualism, the importance of literacy engagement, and the role of translanguaging in educational settings. He also illuminates the challenges and opportunities in fostering multilingual capabilities and underscores the value of embracing students’ linguistic diversity in schools.

Meet Our Guest(s):

Jim Cummins, Ph.D.

Jim Cummins, Ph.D.

Jim Cummins is professor emeritus at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. His research focuses on literacy development in educational contexts characterized by linguistic and socioeconomic diversity. In numerous articles and books, he has explored the nature of language proficiency and its relationship to literacy development, with particular emphasis on the intersections of societal power relations, teacher-student identity negotiation, and literacy attainment. His most recent book Rethinking the Education of Multilingual Learners: A Critical Analysis of Theoretical Concepts was published in fall 2021. He is the recipient of the International Reading Association’s 1979 Albert J. Harris Award and has received honorary doctorates from five universities in North America and Europe in recognition of his contributions to issues of educational equity and multilingual education.

Meet our host, Susan Lambert

Susan Lambert is the Chief Academic Officer of Elementary Humanities at Amplify, and the host of Science of Reading: The Podcast. Her career has been focused on creating high-quality learning environments using evidence-based practices. Lambert is a mom of four, a grandma of four, a world traveler, and a collector of stories.

As the host of Science of Reading: The Podcast, Lambert explores the increasing body of scientific research around how reading is best taught. As a former classroom teacher, administrator, and curriculum developer, Lambert is dedicated to turning theory into best practices that educators can put right to use in the classroom, and to showcasing national models of reading instruction excellence.

Retrato de una mujer caucásica sonriente con cabello rubio corto, involucrada en un podcast sobre la ciencia de la lectura, con gafas, lápiz labial rojo y un collar de perlas.

Transcripts and additional resources:

Listen to Episode 1: Language is always an asset, with Kajal Patel Below
Read: “Translanguaging in Bilingual Education” by Ofelia García and Angel M.Y. Lin
Website: Language Friendly School
Transcript

Quotes

“Virtually all the research highlights the importance of being in a communicative, interactive context if you want to pick up a language."

—Jim Cummins, Ph.D.

“There are differences between the linguistic demands of schooling and the kind of language that we use in everyday conversational context outside of school."

—Jim Cummins, Ph.D.

“All of these processes are amplified when there's a community of peers or people that we can discuss these ideas with, we can get feedback, we can explore ideas collectively."

—Jim Cummins, Ph.D.