In schools across the country, the number of students who speak a language other than English at home continues to grow. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 1 in 10 students in public schools are English Language Learners (ELLs). In some states, such as Texas and California, that number is double.

In this ProCare Therapy guide, learn why bilingual educators support student outcomes, how their language skills are used in schools, what districts can do to increase their presence, and how schools with limited access to these professionals can still help their students.

What Do Bilingual and Multilingual Educators Do?

A bilingual or multilingual educator is a teacher, therapist, or school-based professional who can communicate effectively in two (bilingual) or more (multilingual) languages. Many of these professionals hold additional certifications in English as a Second Language (ESL) or similar bilingual education programs, equipping them to support ELLs both linguistically and academically.

These educators could be general education teachers with ESL certification, speech-language pathologists who speak multiple languages, school psychologists and counselors who serve multilingual families, or school nurses who communicate with parents and understand important student health information in a different language.

How Bilingual Educators Make an Impact

Here are some everyday examples of how educators who speak additional languages make an impact in the school setting:

  • Family Engagement & Communication: Translating during parent-teacher conferences and creating culturally inclusive classroom materials.
  • Mental Health & Social Support: Building trust with students who feel isolated by language barriers and providing culturally relevant counseling or therapy services.
  • Academic Growth & Inclusion: Encouraging participation from ELL students in classroom discussions and supporting language development.

Research shows that bilingual educators directly improve student outcomes, particularly for ELLs and students from immigrant backgrounds. According to a 2022 study by the Center for Applied Linguistics, schools that employed bilingual teachers saw a 10% rise in graduation rates over five years compared to those that did not.

The benefits of bilingual educators aren’t just for ELL students. These professionals promote empathy and inclusivity in the entire school community.

Tips for Increasing Bilingual Educators in Your Schools

There’s no one-size-fits-all number for how many bilingual educators your school or district should employ. However, below are a few best practices for ensuring your student population is adequately supported, including tips for supporting students without access to educators who speak their native language.

1. Reflect Your Student Population

Districts should aim to match the diversity of their student body in their staffing. If 25% of your students are ELLs, strive for a similar percentage of bilingual staff.

2. Prioritize Certifications When Hiring

When hiring, look for credentials such as an ESL or ESOL certification or bilingual certification for school therapists like SLPs and school psychologists.

3. Build Internal Talent

This can look like tuition assistance, mentorship programs, or pathways to ESL, bilingual teaching endorsements, or supporting your staff who are already bilingual in pursuing teaching certifications.

4. Community Resources & Engagement

Partner with community organizations to provide additional support services for ESL or ELL students, such as tutoring, after-school programs, and family resources. Leveraging technology or online learning tools and applications can help offer students adaptive materials, identify specific skills to spend more or less time on, and help teachers easily adapt or customize instruction based on performance data.

5. Partner with a Specialized Staffing Agency

Finding certified, bilingual school professionals can be challenging, but working with an education-specific staffing agency like ProCare Therapy gives your district access to a nationwide network of qualified bilingual talent.

For example, we help schools connect with ESL-certified teachers, remote or hybrid specialists who can support underserved areas, and contract professionals for short-term or urgent needs. At ProCare Therapy, we’re committed to helping students by connecting districts with passionate, certified, and bilingual professionals who can transform your school from the inside out. Learn more about ProCare’s school staffing services today!