Language Is Power: Creating Belonging for Multilingual Learners

Leaders in education know that language shapes access to opportunity, to education, to belonging. And as our communities grow more linguistically diverse, the challenge isn't just how to teach English. It’s how to ensure that Multilingual Learners (MLLs) don’t just survive school systems but succeed in them.

That’s where programs like RBERN, New York’s Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network, step in. These programs help schools build real pathways to graduation, college, and careers for multilingual learners by supporting strong instruction, family engagement, and language equity at every level.

The Multilingual Moment

In cities across the country, multilingualism is increasingly the norm. In New York State, more than 200 languages are spoken by students in public schools. In New York City, roughly one in six students is classified as an English Language Learner (ELL), now more often referred to as a Multilingual Learner (MLL), to emphasize that English is not simply being added, but rather integrated into a rich and existing linguistic identity.

But even as the number of MLLs grows, the systems meant to serve them haven’t always kept up. Educators are often under-trained. Curricula may not reflect students’ cultures. And families can feel left out of key decisions about their children’s education.

RBERN exists to close that gap.

What Is RBERN, Exactly?

RBERN stands for Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network, a statewide initiative led by the NYS Education Department's Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages. Each region in the state, including NYC, has its own RBERN center, staffed by multilingual education experts.

Their job? To support schools, teachers, and communities in delivering high-quality instruction to multilingual learners. That means offering:

• Professional development for teachers and principals

• Curriculum design support for bilingual and ENL programs

• Family engagement tools and translated materials

• Compliance guidance to help schools meet state regulations

• And most importa