Action research or teacher research is a systematic intentional inquiry that teachers design and implement to examine their own teaching and with a focus on multilingual learners. At Elmhurst University we have integrated action research and teaching methods of multilingual learners into coursework leading to an ESL and/or bilingual endorsement.
This past year we received an innovation grant to develop a Virtual Multilingual Teacher Researcher Network. The project was designed to create an online space to develop content, create a social network, and offer professional development for teachers working with multilingual students. Central to the design of The Network is the notion that teachers, through community, have the power to determine, through action research, how best to serve the needs of their multilingual learners.
Join the Virtual Teacher Researcher Network to gain access to all of our Professional Development, Graduate, and Undergraduate Projects.
Featured Research Projects
Professional Development Research Projects
Graduate Research Projects
Undergraduate Research Projects
Early Childhood Education
2025 Projects:
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Alyssa Stasiuk – Engaging in Classroom Norms Through Discussion of Literature
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Danielle Heyse – Increasing Multilingual Kindergarten Students’ Classroom Communication
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Dayana Ocegueda – Translanguaging in a Dual-Language Kindergarten Classroom
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Estefania Zepeda – Exploring African American Students’ Translanguaging in a Two-Way Language Preschool Classroom
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Gabriela Malec – Differentiating Supports as a Developmental Therapist
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Iran Teran – Using Primary Language to Engage My Students
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Jade Heins – Bridging Languages: Supporting Home Language Fluency
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Julee Paradee – How Visuals Can Help Promote Appropriate Language in Preschool
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Kamila Matras – Strategies for Emergent Bilinguals to Increase Participation in Class
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Miranda Barrett – Language Comprehension with English Language Learners
Elementary Education
2025 Projects:
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Analy Gutierrez – Supporting Newcomer Students in Upper Elementary
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Angelica Perales – The Power of Translanguaging
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Angelina Andreozzi – Honoring Students Funds of Knowledge
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Deanna Kimbell – Exploring Language Supports During the Writing Process for Fourth-Grade ELs
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Jasmine Castillo – Funds of Knowledge
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Julia Markowski – Total Physical Response for Math Concepts
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Madison Rivera – Meaningful Spanish Language Learning in Third Grade Social Science and Literacy
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Melissa Martinez – Translanguaging in Option Writing
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Rey Cardenas – Oral English Acquisition While Using Students’ Spanish
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Seema Elghorr – Action Research and Using Language Supports
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Yessenia Sotelo Luna – Translanguaging for Reading Success
2024 Projects:
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Monzerraht Frausto Rios – Adding Multiple Languages into My Classroom: A Bilingual Teacher’s Journey
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Katherine Lacey – Walking In Their Shoes: How My Students Understand Empathy
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Abby Carson – Using Children’s Literature to Engage my Emergent Bilingual Students in Diversity
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Anastasia Tikhiy – Multilingual Student and Family Engagement: Connecting Students Together Through Writing
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Cynthia Turza – Using Social Emotional Strategies to Help Emergent Bilingual Students Manage Their Feelings
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Breanna Latelle – At The Table With First Grade: How Cooking Can Enhance Culture in the First Grade
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Greta Inskeep – Mixing Technology and Reading
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Maya Rodriguez – Using Supports to Engage in Language Learning
2024 Projects:
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Kristina Alioto – Using Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Literature with Multilingual Learners
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Grace Anderson – The Use of Multilingual Text for Multilingual Learner Comprehension
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Michelle Diaz – Embracing Bilingualism: Benefits of Language Strategies for Spanish Learners
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Wiktoria Jurek – Language Supports Given During Literacy Instruction in a Polish Dual Language Classroom
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Karissa Kwiatkowski – Students’ Funds of Knowledge in Math
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Aliyah Reyes – Cultural Awareness with Literacy
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Makayla Zima – Language Supports Given During Reading