Multilingual Student Support – Resources for Faculty

Academic Success
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Multilingual Student Support – Resources for Faculty

Coming to college in the U.S. is a BIG transition. We are trying to feel safe in our new home.
International and multilingual students do not all have the same skills and challenges. Each of us is unique.
Our cultural and academic backgrounds affect how we are in class. We might not be talking a lot, but it doesn’t mean we’re not participating.
Understanding and producing in English might take us more time. Please allow for that when you can.

All the NEWNESS — new time zone, new food choices, new weather, new language, new culture, new people, new living situation, new academic setting — all at once!
The language barrier — it affects listening, speaking, reading, writing, and CONFIDENCE.
All the new vocabulary in some specialized courses
Long, complicated readings
Spontaneous presentations

When your expectations are clear, you show models, give feedback, and allow second chances
When you provide background or context for topics that are based in U.S. history or culture
When you recognize our ideas even if we didn’t express them perfectly, and when you test our knowledge of the subject, not our level of English
When you invite us to Office Hours (or give “exit surveys” or offer other ways to communicate with you one on one)
When you encourage us to use campus resources (like SI, the Writing Desk, and Academic Tutors)
When you show respect for our cultures and help us bring our whole selves to class

Languages spoken

Many of the international students and domestic students at St. Olaf are multilingual, and for many of them English is a second, third, or fourth language!

International Student Population, 2002-2023

International students currently make up approximately 10% of the St. Olaf student population, with about 80 international students admitted each year.

Countries of Origen

The approximately 300 international students at St. Olaf come from more than 90 different countries. We often welcome students from as many as 50 different countries in one incoming class. Our international student population is unique in its diversity in terms of country of origin and cultural background. For current demographic information, visit the IE&A Enrollment Dashboard.

Academic Majors

International students choose majors from across the curriculum, with the top choices being Math or Computer Science, Econ or Quantitative Economics, Political Science, Biology, and Psychology.

For consultations and advice, please contact Anne Berry (berryag@stolaf.edu, x3361)

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please let me know!

Inside Higher Ed article: Plain Language Is Key to DEI in Academe, by Shawna Shapiro

The International Student Staff Interest Group presents Understanding and Supporting Our International/Multilingual Students (May 2023).

The Conference on College Composition and Communication releases Statement on Language, Power, and Action (November 2022).

The faculty votes to approve the St. Olaf College Statement on Instructional Adaptations — guidance regarding instructional adaptations to testing procedures for students whose first language is not English (December 2015).

“Access, Asset, Agency, and Advocacy: Four Pillars of Linguistic and Cultural Inclusion in Higher Education” (A July 2024 article by Dr. Shawna Shapiro of Middlebury College published on the Language, Culture and Justice Hub)

“Valuing Written Accents: International Voices in the U.S. Academy” (The findings of a research project done by the University Writing Center at George Mason University that presents the diverse writing experiences of multi-lingual students)

“Writing Across Borders” Part 1, “Writing Across Borders” Part 2 (A documentary produced by Oregon State University’s Center for Writing and Learning and its Writing Intensive Curriculum Program to help tutors, faculty and staff work with international student writers)

Suggested Syllabus Statements (A link to the Student Life Committees collection of statements that faculty members may choose to include on their course syllabi)

“Teaching Multilingual Students: An Overview for Course Instructors and TAs” (Suggestions for working with multilingual students from the University of Toronto Writing website)

“Helping International Students Thrive on U.S. Campuses” (Suggestions for helping international students adjust to campus through orientation programs and support networks, from International Educator)

Universal Design and Teaching International Multilingual Students (Tips and strategies from Times Higher Education)

Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education (A link to CAST website, a nonprofit education research and development organization that works to expand learning opportunities for all individuals through Universal Design for Learning)