About us
We are passionate educators dedicated to promoting multilingualism, linguistic inclusion, and strong literacy practices in international schools. We aim to support teachers and school leaders in their journey towards effective multilingual language and literacy instruction by sharing expertise, practical strategies, and innovative approaches. Whether you are a teacher seeking guidance or a school leader looking to enhance your institution's language and literacy practices, our resources and insights will empower you to create a linguistically inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.
Our goal
Our goal is to help schools develop confident, eloquent, empowered and successful communicators, who are literate in all their languages! Why?
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International school contexts are unique. They are characterised by diverse linguistic and cultural student bodies. The International School Literacy Collaborative builds on and includes linguistic backgrounds and repertoires.
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High levels of speaking, reading, writing and listening in all languages play a part in equity, inclusion, social mobility, participation and classroom engagement.
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Literacy is the basis and foundation of all learning and success at school and in life. All educators should have a sound knowledge of the role language and literacy plays in learning.
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High levels of literacy do not happen by osmosis. Students need targeted, explicit, contextualised instruction that is engaging, dynamic and meaningful in all areas of the curriculum.
We do this by..
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Building teacher understanding and practices on literacy, oracy and multilingual learning through workshops, consultancies and bespoke school services.
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Helping schools develop their language and literacy vision and mission.
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Helping schools identify the resources, tools, systems and strategies to achieve this.
Helen Absalom
Helen Absalom, a Multilingual Expert and EAL (English as an Additional Language) teacher, has worked in various international schools around the world. Her commitment to advocating for multilingualism stems from recognizing the invaluable benefits it brings to individuals and communities. With a Master's degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Helen possesses a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that arise in diverse language learning environments. Drawing from her experiences, she provides valuable insights and guidance to educators, empowering them to create inclusive and enriching classrooms for multilingual learners.
Marcelle van Leenen
Marcelle van Leenen, a school leader and former EAL teacher and Literacy Specialist, is passionate about linguistic inclusion and strong literacy practices in international schools. She holds a Master's degree in English Language and Literature and has dedicated her career to supporting students from diverse linguistic backgrounds in international schools. Her experience as both a teacher and a school principal gives her a unique perspective on language development and literacy skills across the curriculum. Marcelle believes that by equipping teachers with the necessary tools and strategies, they can unlock the full potential of their students. School leadership, especially in diverse and multilingual contexts, demands a deep understanding of how to create an inclusive, supportive, and effective learning environment. Her journey from working directly with multilingual learners to leading a school has allowed her to continue her commitment to making educational transformation accessible to all students, regardless of their linguistic or cultural background. She is excited to share her expertise with you!