Leaders Advocate for Essential Multilingual Education in U.S. Schools

Recently, prominent education leaders gathered during a LinkedIn Live event hosted by Digital Promise to discuss a pressing question: What if the secret to advancing equity, economic competitiveness, and building stronger communities lies within our approach to language education? During this spirited discussion, participants called for multilingualism to become an integral part of school curriculums nationwide, rather than an optional add-on.

Moderated by Jean-Claude Brizard, President and CEO of Digital Promise, the panel featured influential voices such as Dr. Alexandra Estrella, Superintendent of Norwalk Public Schools; Dr. Gudiel Crosthwaite, Superintendent of Sunnyvale School District; and Mengting Hou, Founder and CEO of The Mimir Language Platform. Each speaker passionately conveyed a powerful message: multilingual education is not merely a luxury but a necessity for the future of America.

Brizard emphasized the importance of language education, asserting, "Language education drives national competitiveness, equity, and social cohesion." He urged school districts to safeguard and grow their language programs, even amidst financial constraints. The call to arms for educational equity resonated throughout the event, especially when Dr. Estrella highlighted the strength found in diversity at Norwalk Public Schools, which serve students from 41 countries speaking over 32 languages. To her, multilingualism is a boon, not a burden, as it opens doors for students to gain knowledge and express their identities.

As the conversation transition to leadership, Dr. Crosthwaite's prior experience revealed a vital truth: achieving success in multilingual education often hinges on vision rather than resource abundance. His leadership helped secure $250 million in funding for the Lynwood Unified School District, illustrating that prioritizing multilingualism is a strategy to enhance equity and student opportunity across districts.

Innovation emerged as another critical theme in the dialogue. Mengting Hou pointed out the prevailing “library paradox” where U.S. students may excel in grammar but struggle with practical conversation skills. Her platform, Mimir, aims to revolutionize this process. By emphasizing context and conversation, Mimir enables students to engage in meaningful dialogue, leading to a 81% improvement in fluency among users and keeping 70% more students engaged compared to traditional models.

The implications extend far beyond the classroom. The panel highlighted the pressing economic need for multilingual workers, noting that 56% of employers in the U.S. report increasing demand for such skills. The World Economic Forum suggests that reducing language barriers in trade could unlock GDP gains of $6-7 trillion by the year 2050. Furthermore, with approximately 5.3 million English learners in U.S. schools—making up around 10.6% of the K-12 population—there lies an underutilized national asset that can significantly contribute to the economy.

Finally, the integration of technology into language learning was addressed, with Hou emphasizing that while AI plays a supportive role in the learning process, it cannot substitute the need for human connection and cultural sensitivity. Mimir combines adaptive AI capabilities with the guidance of teachers and cultural specialists to create a rich, authentic learning environment.

As the event concluded, the call for action was loud and clear: language education must find its rightful place at the core of 21st-century education. For school districts, this means making world language learning a fundamental component of their academic curricula—alongside core subjects such as mathematics and science—and utilizing effective, equitable technology to support these efforts. The urgency to embrace multilingualism is not just a matter of educational fairness; it is a critical step toward fostering a connected, competitive, and compassionate society.

About Digital Promise

Digital Promise is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging gaps in education through collaboration with researchers, educators, and technology developers. For more information, visit www.digitalpromise.org.

About The Mimir Language Platform

The Mimir Language Platform specializes in AI-driven, speech-first learning solutions that transform rote memorization into meaningful conversational experiences. Combining cutting-edge technology with personalized mentorship, Mimir empowers school districts to implement effective and culturally responsive language programs. Learn more at www.themimir.com.