This document discusses language diversity in the classroom. It defines multilingualism as an individual or community's ability to use multiple languages. Multilingual education uses multiple languages for instruction or study. It recognizes, values, and utilizes the linguistic diversity in a society. Benefits of multilingual education include flexibility, motivation, self-esteem, global citizenship preparation, and bridging student differences. Theories discussed include the deficit theory, which suggests some students have inadequate language skills, and the discontinuity theory, which proposes first and second language acquisition differ. The document also defines dialect and register, and discusses understanding students' language backgrounds, including first versus second language learners and home versus school language. It notes the importance of not overpower