In U.S. public schools, the number of students who speak languages other than English at home and who are developing proficiency in English at school is rapidly increasing. Since the mid 1990s, Pennsylvania schools have seen more than a 115 percent increase in English learners and the numbers are much higher in other regions of the country. A series of events at Penn State University Park, organized by the Diversity and Climate Enhancement Committee (DCEC) in the College of Education, will focus on "Multilingualism in our Classrooms and Communities" to offer some insights and learning opportunities for educators working with multilingual and multicultural students.

The programs open to the public include:

5 p.m. Feb. 13, Memorial Lounge, Pasquerilla Spiritual Center
"Life with Two Languages: At Home and School and in Communities," a panel presentation by Penn State students who will offer perspectives on life as a multilingual person, share life experiences and reflect on how multiple languages have influenced their lives as students. A discussion will follow to explore the students' stories growing up with more than one language in their schools and communities, and attitudes and perceptions of multilingualism in our world today. The panel will be recorded for classroom use.