Learning Together Education Network

Learning Together Education Network is a community of practice created by Mother Tongues for teachers and practitioners in education settings who are interested in the themes of migration, inclusivity, language learning and child development in multicultural families.

We recently conducted a survey and the overall results highlighted low confidence in supporting migrant children and their families. The aim of the Learning Together Network is to enable practitioners to learn and share successful practice for engaging with children and families from a migrant background to prevent educational disadvantage, potential misdiagnosis and social isolation in the long term. It is a space to meet other practitioners and experts in the sector, to learn about what is being done, and to identify what further support is needed and where the gaps are.

The Learning Together Education Network is a project funded by What Works Learning Together Fund, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Creating a welcoming environment for migrant children and families: fostering languages, promoting inclusion

In this video, teachers Phil McCarthy and Annie Asgard and linguist Dr Francesca La Morgia share examples of culturally responsive practice in their multilingual classrooms.

Embedding Diversity, Equality and Inclusion in our Practice: Anti-Bias Work

In this video, we meet Dr Colette Murray ECEC Lecturer and Diversity and Equality Advocate in TU Dublin Blanchardstown Campus and EDeNn and Ann Halligan, Manager of Curious Minds Preschool, Castlebar to discuss the importance of embedding diversity, equality and inclusion in our practice.

Embedding Diversity, Equality and Inclusion: Practical Examples

In this video, Dr Colette Murray ECEC Lecturer and Diversity and Equality Advocate in TU Dublin Blanchardstown Campus and EDeNn and Ann Halligan, Manager of Curious Minds Preschool, Castlebar give us practical examples on embedding diversity, equality and inclusion in our practice.

Supporting the child with EAL in the early years: moving away from language

In this video, we visited the Early Language and Learning Lab in DCU which examines the ways in which early educational environments contribute to young children’s development and learning. Dr Sinéad McNally and her team, Ms Emma Reilly and Ms Christina O’Keeffe, share their knowledge and expertise on how to support EAL and how to create a welcoming environment for migrant children and families.

Supporting children with EAL in the early years: exploring culturally responsive learning and parental engagement

In this video, the team from DCU’s Early Language and Learning Lab, Ms Emma Reilly, Ms Weiyi Liu and Ms Christina O’Keeffe, discuss practical tips on the inclusion of children with EAL through play and activities, the role of the educator as a mediator and how culturally responsive learning experiences and parental engagement contribute to the long term academic success of all children in the classroom.

Children who are new to English: assessing language development and language difficulties

In this video, Annie Asgard, English Language Support Teacher and Assistant Principal in a primary school in Galway, and chairperson of ELSTA Ireland (Primary School Teacher/Assistant Principal II Claddagh National School, Chairperson ELSTA), talks to us about assessing the progress of language development in pupils with EAL. Ms Annie Asgard shares some real-life examples of language interactions that are common in pupils with EAL, when to worry and what to do next in the school context.

The value of home languages at school

In this video, Assistant Professor at School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies, Dublin City University Dr Inmaculada Gómez Soler and Primary School Teacher Phil McCarthy and discuss what heritage language education is, the links between heritage language and mainstream education and its importance.

Learning Together Education Network

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