"This urgently needed book guides educators through a framework of practical ways to integrate equitable SEL instruction for multilingual learners throughout the school day. The real-life scenarios, note-taking tools, checklists, and reflection questions will support educators as they collaborate to thoughtfully and systematically implement the recommendations at a classroom and school-wide level. All educators and the multilingual learners they serve will benefit from the affirming practices in this book."
“Staehr Fenner and Teich bravely approach the naturally sensitive topic of SEL with simple rationale and actionable techniques that should enable all educators and administrators to provide multilingual learners with the environment to thrive.”
"While social-emotional learning has become a hot topic across educational circles, not enough attention has focused on the needs of multilingual learners. Teachers are an essential element in addressing their social-emotional needs, but only 30% of the professional development related to SEL addresses MLs specifically. Ideally, teachers and administrators will become well-versed in the concepts and processes put forward in this new book.
"A critical extension of the CASEL Framework, this book offers educators the most essential understandings of the social and emotional inner lives of multilingual learners, as well as tangible actions they can take to support students in building their SEL competencies. Staehr Fenner and Teich shine a timely light on the need for nuanced and culturally-sensitive SEL programs. Whatever your role in a school community, you will find information and ideas that will transform your practice permanently."
"Staehr Fenner and Teich have provided a valuable and especially timely resource that centers on the socio-emotional needs of linguistically diverse learners. By engaging in self-reflection and application, individually or as part of a learning community, readers will increase their understanding of terms, definitions, SEL competencies, and essential practices. The practices described are necessary for all educators to recognize, further develop, and support the well-being of their students.
"Every time Diane and her colleagues write a book, my practice transforms and levels up. While reading this book, I immediately started revising my lesson and unit plans to integrate SEL. I love frameworks, and this book offers a central framework that guides SEL integration. Each chapter shows us how to delicately design instruction so that life-skill development is not an 'extra' responsibility but actually foundational to working with MLs."
"Diane Staehr Fenner and Mindi Teich’s new book, Social Emotional Learning for Multilingual Learners: Essential Actions for Success, is a masterful addition to their robust body of work in support of multilingual learners.
"Immense thanks to Diane Staehr Fenner and Mindi Teich for writing this book because the topic is so prevalent, yet few books address the specific social-emotional needs of our ML kids and provide professional learning tools for practitioners. Long-term school success is not just about academics, and it’s not just about dealing with ‘learning loss’ or the pandemic effect.
"One of the areas that has received less attention regarding the education of culturally and linguistically diverse students is social emotional learning. Staehr Fenner and Teich’s work, grounded on an advocacy stand, not only provides clear directions to implement SEL competencies for the benefit of MLs, but also describes the principles and rationale behind each of these competencies."
"Diane Staehr Fenner and Mindi Teich combined their decades of field-experiences and produced a much-needed new resource. They not only make an indisputable claim that Social Emotional Learning for Multilingual Learners is an essential component of these students’ education, but they also offer a well-constructed framework and concrete, actionable recommendations. A must-have for today’s complex classrooms!"
"Dr. Staehr Fenner and Ms. Teich’s book amplifies the urgency of understanding how social-emotional learning approaches address the emotional needs of diverse, multilingual learners in our classrooms, schools, and districts. They share practical educator actions to support MLs’ access to each of the five SEL competencies and create space for educators to reflect on their own experiences with SEL as they navigate their unique learning journey.
"This book provides a much-needed comprehensive and holistic 'deep dive' into the multi-layered topic of social and emotional learning with multilingual learners at the forefront. The authors provide numerous hands-on tools and reflection questions to help schools ensure that their SEL efforts and priorities are equitable, inclusive, culturally and linguistically responsive, trauma-informed, and focused on the well-being of all students within the school community."
"Social Emotional Learning for Multilingual Learners: Essential Actions for Success could not come at a better time as more and more migrants and asylum seekers are entering our schools. Our emergent multilingual learners face unique challenges when acquiring a new language in a culturally different environment. The strategies in this book will provide them with the necessary tools and skills to effectively navigate those challenges and thrive."
"Over the years, when creating professional learning for teachers, I have often referred back to books by Diane Staehr Fenner. Her ability to take research and make it useful for practitioners is impressive. In Social Emotional Learning for Multilingual Learners: Essential Actions for Success by Diane Staehr Fenner and Mindi Teich, she does it again. Both authors bring current understanding of issues around social emotional learning to the forefront. How can we teach a student that isn't in a state of mind to learn?
"Diane Staehr Fenner and Mindi Teich are steadfast advocates for multilingual learners—especially when it comes to supporting their social-emotional well-being. They provide practical tools for building and strengthening multilingual learners’ self-awareness, self-management, awareness of others, relational skills, and responsive decision-making. Whether you're a new or experienced educator, administrator, coach, or counselor, their valuable contribution is a crucial resource."