The Multilingual Language Program: formative evaluation of three implementation models in an early learning setting

Abstract Multilingual families contend with the challenge of transmitting their minoritized language to their children and then supporting their children’s maintenance of this language. In this paper, we will present the Multilingual Language Program implemented with multilingual preschool-aged children in a Canadian urban context. The Program goals included to provide opportunities to hear and use minoritized languages in a preschool setting, to support the development of a bilingual identity, and to encourage all children to communicate. We will focus on a Formative Evaluation of three implementation models that took place over the course of one year with a partner organization working with preschool-aged children. The first model was hosted in-person in the partner’s preschool setting; the second model took place online with children participating with their parents at home; and the third model was a hybrid approach with an online delivery with children participating with their teachers in the classroom. The three models implemented required different adaptations and delivery, revealed different advantages and disadvantages regarding the collaboration with parents and support for the minoritized language at home, but were all valuable and provided multilingual language experiences to children. The evaluation of these models and their implementation will help inform future efforts of researchers and practitioners when designing a delivery model for their local context and participant needs.