How it started

In the Amazon rainforest of Suriname, we observed teachers facing difficulties in the classroom due to the language barrier. Many students spoke a different language at home than what was used in school, and teachers who employed evidence-based language inclusion strategies felt isolated in their efforts.

This is a problem that extends far beyond Suriname, as schools around the world struggle to provide quality education to their multilingual students. Unfortunately, many schools have a policy of restricting or even penalizing students for using their home language, which can lead to feelings of shame and lower motivation.

What's the plan

A sustainable network of professional learning takes time, effort and money.

Starting with 2 schools in 2019, we have now successfully established a global network of 25 Language Friendly Schools. We provide these schools with a supportive entry into the network, as well as access to an online platform for sharing information, lesson plans, and research outcomes. Additionally, we organize meetings, live conferences, and peer-learning events.
With your support, we can move forward to the next phase of growth for the network, and enhance the professional development opportunities for educators.

Your contributions will enable us to:

• Bring in schools from our waiting list
• Enhance our IT capabilities
• Create and design online learning courses
• Launch targeted marketing campaigns
• Provide financial assistance for schools in the Global South that lack funding to participate in the network.