UNESCO’s Report on Multilingual Education

March 3, 2025

Recent reports from UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring (GEM) team highlight a critical issue in education worldwide. Approximately 40% of the global population lacks access to education in a language they understand. This figure rises to 90% in some low- and middle-income countries. The report, titled “Languages Matter – Global Guidance on Multilingual Education,” was released on the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language Day. It stresses the importance of multilingual education in the face of increasing linguistic diversity due to migration.

The Importance of Home Language in Education

Home language plays important role in effective learning. Students perform better when taught in a language they understand. However, many education systems fail to implement this principle. Barriers include a lack of trained teachers and materials in home languages. Community resistance also hampers progress.

Scale of the Problem

Over 250 million learners globally face educational challenges due to language barriers. In regions with linguistic diversity, such as some low-income countries, this issue is more pronounced. The GEM report indicates that the gap in learning outcomes has widened in recent years, particularly for disadvantaged learners.

Historical and Contemporary Challenges

Linguistic challenges in education stem from both historical and contemporary factors. Colonial legacies have imposed dominant languages on local populations. This has created disparities in educational access. Additionally, modern immigration adds new languages to classrooms, complicating instruction and assessment.

Recommendations for Multilingual Education Policies

The GEM team recommends context-specific approaches to language education. Countries should develop effective bridging language programmes. These should include qualified teachers and materials tailored to diverse needs. Training for educators must focus on culturally responsive pedagogy.

Teacher Training and Support Systems

Effective multilingual education requires well-trained teachers. Teacher deployment should align language fluency with the language of instruction. Support systems outside schools are also vital for the success of multilingual policies. School leaders must encourage inclusive environments that cater to all linguistic backgrounds.

The Role of Community and Parental Involvement

Collaboration between school leaders, parents, and communities is essential. Engaging diverse linguistic groups helps build bridges and ensures that multilingual students feel included. Professional standards for school leaders should emphasise this collaboration.

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