Advocacy

This guide presents up-to-date principles for language-in-education policies that recognize multilingualism as both a fundamental human characteristic and an essential educational approach. (29 January 2025 - Last update:19 August 2025)  Language matters

Government officials from Asia-Pacific countries call for acceleration of multilingual education for learning recovery and transformation in the region. (8 December 2023 - Last update:10 June 2025) Bangkok Priorities for Action

A study of the research on mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) programing in Africa. In this chapter, we examine the existing research evidence regarding multilingual learning in low-resource contexts of Sub-Saharan Africa, specifically in the context of MTB-MLE models being implemented in African countries.   Research in multilingual learning in Africa Assessing the effectiveness of multilingual education programming

Schroeder, L., M. Mercado, M., & Trudell, B. 2021. Chapter 2 - Research in multilingual learning in Africa: Assessing the effectiveness of multilingual education programming. In E. Erling, J. Clegg, C. Rubagumya & J. Reilly (Eds.), Multilingual Learning and Language Supportive Pedagogies in Sub-Saharan Africa. London, UK: Routledge.

The Conference brought together 2 signature conferences in the field of language, development and multilingual education; the 13th Language and Development Conference and the 6th Multilingual Education Conference, led by the British Council and UNESCO Bangkok on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Multilingual Education Working Group and the Language and Development Conference Trustees.  Conference proceedings

Conference Recordings: YouTube playlist 

The Bangkok Statement on Language and Inclusion: output of the High-Level Policy Forum on Multilingual Education convened in parallel to The Inclusion, Mobility and Multilingual Education Conference: Exploring the Role of Languages for Education and Development, 25 September 2019, Bangkok, Thailand. (19 February 2020 - Last update:10 June 2025)  Bangkok Statement

The participants of Salzburg Global Seminar’s session on Springboard for Talent: Language Learning and Integration in a Globalized World (December 12-17, 2017), call for policies that value and uphold multilingualism and language rights.  Salzburg Statement

This PowerPoint presentation identifies ten specific components of mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) programs that are essential to their long-­term success. Each of these components must be incorporated into a MTB-MLE program, regardless of its size or stage of implementation. Examples from Asia, Africa and the Pacific help demonstrate the creative ways in which community members and their supporting partners have brought the essential components together to build successful and sustained MTB-­MLE programs.  MTB-MLE for sustainable development for all:  What have we Learned?

The information in this document is based on presentations and discussions at the 4th International Conference on Language and Education, Multilingual Education for All in Asia and the Pacific: Policies, Practices and Processes, held in Bangkok, Thailand in November 2013.  Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB MLE) - Lessons Learned from a Decade of Research and Practice

This updated MTB-MLE Resource Kit is a comprehensive, in-depth and insightful tool emphasizing that the mother tongue approach is at the heart of inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all. The publication includes five booklets that focus on key questions about mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) that are frequently asked by policy makers, implementers and community members.  MTB-MLE resource kit

This Resource Kit is for people who are committed to the idea that all children have the right to quality education in a language they speak and understand. The publication contains five booklets and is designed to raise awareness on the importance of mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE).  Advocacy kit for promoting multilingual education 

This paper defines mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE), gives the rational for MTB-MLE and shares the general principles for developing policies that support education for children from non-dominant language communities.  MTB - MLE: Implications for Education Policy 

UNESCO Bangkok produced several mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) videos that are now on YouTube. SIL International consultants were among the contributors to the content that captures scenes from MLE classrooms in case studies from Southeast Asia. Watch teachers showcase their classroom skills and listen as learners - in their own words - identify issues from their educational experiences and comment on mother tongue-based education. MTB-MLE Videos 

SIL online Advocacy Training is now available from SIL Training for SIL and WGA staff who are interested in learning more about external advocacy in our contexts. The cost is $15 for SIL staff, and $25 for WGA staff. Example modules include Advocacy principles and practices as well as Advocacy in SIL.