1 Oct 2026
E32 - Our Students: A Schoolwide Approach to Multilingual Literacy
Dr. Sarah Cioffi joins Mary and Katherine to explore what it takes to make multilingual literacy a shared responsibility across an entire school rather than the work of the ENL teacher alone. The conversation examines teacher preparation, collaboration, MTSS, culturally and linguistically responsive Tier 1 instruction, and the importance of distinguishing language acquisition from reading difficulties. It also highlights oracy as a foundation for literacy and calls on educators to design rigorous instruction that anticipates multilingual learners from the beginning while recognizing multilingualism as an asset.
Dr. Sarah Cioffi is a veteran educator, researcher, and multilingual literacy consultant with 36 years in education, including 16 years in leadership positions at Scotia Glenville, Bethlehem, and Shenendehowa School Districts in upstate New York. She retired as the K–12 administrator for ENL at Shenendehowa and currently teaches in the MAT programs at Bard College and Siena University. She serves on the New York State ELL Leadership Council and the New York State Seal of Biliteracy Task Force, founded and formerly directed the Capital Region ENL Roundtable, and consults with districts and educational organizations across New York State. Her research focuses on the roles, responsibilities, and needs of content area teachers of multilingual learners.
Key Takeaways
Supporting multilingual learners is a schoolwide responsibility. ENL teachers bring specialized expertise, but every educator needs the knowledge to support language and literacy development.
MTSS decisions for multilingual learners should account for language development. Educators need multiple sources of data to distinguish language acquisition from other learning needs.
ELD is not an intervention. Language development begins in Tier 1 and continues alongside instruction and intervention throughout Tiers 2 and 3.
Timestamps
(00:00) Welcome to Literacy Across Languages!
(01:28) Meet Dr. Sarah Cioffi
(09:09) The Districts That are Getting it Right for Multilingual Literacy
(11:43) The Unique Role and Expertise of the ELD Specialist
(14:51) MTSS for Multilingual Students
(18:27) Determining Whether Multilingual Students Require Intervention
(22:09) Designing Instruction for Multilingual Success
(27:30) Is ELD Support Just Good Teaching?
(33:04) Features of Schools That Center Multilingual Learning
(40:46) Expanding Our Knowledge Base as Educators
(42:18) The Courage of Multilingual Students
(45:24) Until Next Time!
Episode Resources
Visit SBC Instructional Consulting (https://sites.google.com/sbcinstructionalconsulting.com/sbcinstructionalconsultingllc/home/about?utm_source=chatgpt.com) to learn more about Dr. Sarah Cioffi’s work supporting multilingual learners and educators.
Stay Connected
Visit us at literacyacrosslanguages.com (http://literacyacrosslanguages.com), follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/literacyacrosslanguages/), or connect with Mary (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-sandoval-52ab893a/) and Katherine (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-nelson-66570b57/) on LinkedIn.
Enjoying the podcast? Follow, leave a review, and share your favorite episodes with fellow educators to keep the learning going.
Keywords
multilingual learners, multilingual literacy, English language learners, ENL instruction, literacy instruction, language development, second language acquisition, MTSS, Tier 1 instruction, reading intervention, special education, reading difficulties, teacher preparation, professional learning, instructional collaboration, co-planning, school-wide capacity, asset-based instruction, multilingualism, Universal Design for Learning, equitable literacy, science of reading, instructional scaffolds, oracy, academic language, content objectives, language objectives, culturally responsive instruction, student identity, literacy access, educator leadership
