Which of the following is an effective way for the bilingual community to get involved with ELLs?

• A. Hosting a field trip
• B. Writing bilingual newsletters
• C. Translating all materials
• D. Giving presentations about their experiences using more than one language to help them in their professional lives

Answer: (D)

Sharing personal experiences of using multiple languages in real life is a powerful way for the bilingual community to connect with ELLs. When someone from the community talks about how being bilingual has helped them in school, work, and everyday life, it shows students language is a valuable, practical asset—not a barrier. These presentations give concrete examples, tips, and strategies for using more than one language in academic and professional settings, which can boost students’ confidence and aspirations.

This approach also creates relatable role models, builds trust, and invites students to ask questions about language use, identity, and career paths. It demonstrates translanguaging in action—using all languages as resources to think, learn, and communicate—so students see multilingualism as a normal, strengths-based skill. By tying language to future opportunities, presentations help ELLs picture themselves succeeding beyond the classroom.

Other options can be beneficial in different ways, but they don’t foster the same direct, sustained engagement and mentorship that firsthand, experiential talks from bilingual community members provide.