Multilingual Learner Support
The Multilingual Learner (MLL) Support Program offers assistance to both undergraduate and graduate students to develop their ability to navigate between English and other languages that they or others in their home environment may speak as they work to manage assignments, class experiences and the living environment at Alverno. Both international and US-resident students may fit this profile.
Our goal is for you to develop your academic English in a way that will expand your linguistic and cultural skills.
The term multilingual includes you if:
- You speak more than one language
- Your family uses more than one language at home (even if you do not consider yourself proficient in any language except English)
- You grew up using a World English (English that is used outside of North America or Great Britain)
Did you know that you don't have to do ALL your schoolwork in only one language?
Recommended Resources for Multilingual College Students
As a college student, you do need to “own” your learning and show that you own it, not just complete assignments. But for you as a multilingual learner, “owning” may happen across more than one language! When you're learning in English but have a different language in your head and heart, it's normal to move between languages. You might understand an idea in one language before you can explain it in English. You might know a word in Spanish but not remember its English equivalent. You might understand a lecture but need to read the textbook more slowly.
Using translation, text-to-speech, dictionaries, captions, or another language to help you understand something isn't the same as avoiding the learning. Instead, it can be a smart and strategic choice. These tools can help you get to the learning and to do it more effectively and confidently. Your goal is to understand the material well enough that you can use it, explain it, discuss it, write about it, and demonstrate what you know.
1. When Reading Is Hard, Listen While You Read!
Hearing academic English while you read can make difficult material easier to follow. It can help you notice unfamiliar words, sentence structure, pronunciation, and the way ideas are connected.
Try listening when
- a reading is long or difficult
- you understand the words individually but lose track of the sentence
- you aren't sure how a word is pronounced
- reading in English takes so much effort that it's hard to concentrate on the ideas
- you want to hear your reading again after you've read it once
You can listen, follow along with the text, slow the reading down, and replay difficult sections.
Here Are Some Built-In Read-Aloud Browser Tools (No download or account needed)
Microsoft Edge Read Aloud
What it does: Reads webpages and supported PDFs aloud. You can adjust the voice and reading speed. Edge also has an Immersive Reader view that can make text easier to see and follow.
Try it when you want to:
- listen while following the words
- slow down a difficult passage
- hear academic English spoken aloud
- hear how an unfamiliar word is pronounced
- reduce distractions on a busy webpage
Good for: Articles, course webpages, PDFs, assignment instructions, and other online reading.
Chrome Reading Mode and Read Aloud
What it does: On supported webpages, Chrome can give you a cleaner reading view and read the text aloud. You can adjust the voice, speed, text size, spacing, and highlighting.
Try it when you want to
- listen and read at the same time
- slow down complicated academic language
- use highlighting to keep your place
- make text larger or easier to read
- hear available English or other language voices
Good for: Online articles, course materials, and webpages.
Using a Chromebook? ChromeOS also has built-in tools for reading text aloud.
Apple Safari Listen to Page
On supported webpages in Safari on an iPhone or iPad, choose Page Menu → Listen to Page.
Try it when you want to
- hear academic English while seeing the words
- listen to a difficult section again
- become more familiar with English pronunciation and sentence patterns
- give your eyes a break during a long reading assignment
Good for: Course reading on your iPhone or iPad.
Google Android accessibility tools
Android devices offer several ways to hear text aloud. Chrome's Listen to This Page can read supported webpages, and Select to Speak can read selected text on your screen. Available features and languages vary by device.
Try it when you want to hear just a word, paragraph, or section again instead of trying to decode everything silently.
2. When You Have a Long PDF or Other Document: Use Text-to-Speech Tools
Sometimes a browser tool isn't enough. You may have a long PDF, article, e-book, or other document that you want to listen to more than once.
ElevenReader
What it does: Turns PDFs, articles, books, and other text into spoken audio using natural-sounding voices. Its current free plan includes a monthly listening limit.
Try it when you want to
- listen to a long reading while commuting or doing routine tasks
- follow along with a PDF
- replay a difficult section
- hear academic English at a pace that works for you
Especially useful for: Long readings, textbooks, PDFs, and students who learn well by hearing and seeing information together.
Remember: Free access has limits, so check the current plan if you expect to use it heavily.
TTSReader
What it does: A simple browser-based text-to-speech tool. You can use it to listen to text you paste or upload.
Try it for reading—or for writing.
Hearing your own writing can help you notice things you may not see when you read silently:
- sentences that don't quite say what you meant
- missing words
- repeated words
- places where the writing sounds confusing
- places where your ideas don't connect clearly
Especially useful for: Papers, discussion posts, presentation scripts, study notes, and other writing you want to hear before you submit or present it.
3. When You Understand Something Better in Another Language: Translate It!
DeepL Translator
What it does: Translates words, sentences, and longer passages between supported languages. You can also translate certain documents.
Try it when you want to
- check what an unfamiliar English phrase means
- understand a difficult paragraph in another language
- compare an English phrase with a language you know better
- find the meaning of an academic or technical term
A good way to use translation for learning
Translate → understand → return to the English → explain it yourself.
For example, if a textbook paragraph is difficult:
- Read the English paragraph.
- Translate it to a language you understand more easily.
- Make sure you understand the idea.
- Return to the English paragraph.
- Self assess by asking, “Can I explain this idea in my own words?” If not, keep working.
The translation helps you get to the meaning. Your own explanation is where you demonstrate your learning.
Free-plan note: DeepL's current free plan has limits on document translation, including one file translation per month and a 5 MB maximum file size.
4. When You Need to Keep Up With a Lecture: Genio
Genio Notes (sign in with your Alverno email -- you have a free account!)
What it does: Genio can record class audio, create a transcript, connect notes to the recording, and help you review what happened in class. It can also organize course materials and create study resources from your class content.
For multilingual students, one especially useful feature is the ability to move between hearing and reading.
You can:
- listen to a class recording again
- read a transcript while listening
- find the part of the recording connected to a particular section of text
- review material after class when you have more time to process it
- organize notes and course materials (such as faculty Powerpoints and related YouTube videos) together
- use captions when available
Genio's transcription and captioning tools support 30+ languages, although they transcribe the language being spoken rather than translating it.
Try Genio when
- your professor speaks faster than you can comfortably process
- you understand better when you can both hear and read
- you need to go back to something from class
- taking notes while listening means you miss part of the lecture
- you want to spend more attention understanding the lecture and review your notes afterward
Important: Follow your course and college rules about recording classes and using AI-supported tools.
5. When You Want More Practice Speaking and Understanding English in “Live” Environments
You don't have to wait for a class presentation to practice speaking English.
Regular conversation can help you become more comfortable with:
- finding words quickly
- asking questions
- explaining ideas
- understanding different accents and speaking styles
- making mistakes and trying again
- speaking without translating every sentence in your head first
HelloTalk
HelloTalk connects language learners with people who speak the languages they want to practice. You can use text, voice, and video, and the platform includes translation, pronunciation, and correction tools. Its core language-exchange features are available free, although some features have limits or require a paid plan.
Try it when: You want regular, informal conversation practice.
Tandem
Tandem connects language learners for conversation through text, voice messages, audio, and video. It also provides correction and translation tools. A free version is available.
Try it when: You want to practice with another language learner and exchange help in two languages.
A safety reminder
These are social platforms, not college tutoring services. Don't share your address, financial information, passwords, student information, or other private information with a language partner. If someone makes you uncomfortable, you can stop communicating and use the platform's block/report tools. HelloTalk, for example, specifically recommends protecting personal information and reporting or blocking inappropriate contacts.
6. When You're Stuck on an Assignment, Studying, or a Test: Ask a Person!
Technology can help with reading, listening, translation, and practice. Sometimes what you need most is another person. You don't have to figure out exactly what kind of help you need before you ask.
Alverno CLAS Tutoring See current Alverno tutoring information
CLAS can help you with much more than correcting a paper. You can ask for help to:
- understand an assignment
- understand difficult reading
- get started on a paper or project
- organize your ideas
- understand instructor feedback
- practice writing or speaking
- prepare for a test
- develop study strategies
- work through math or quantitative problems
- make a plan when you don't know where to start
- figure out what kind of academic support would help you most
You don't have to know what you need yet or have the perfect question!
You can simply say
- “I'm working on ______, and I'm stuck on ______.”
- “I know I'm having trouble, but I'm not sure what kind of help I need.”
- “I understand this in ______, but I'm having trouble understanding or explaining it in English.”
That's enough to get started.
Current ways to get help
- Peer tutoring and academic mentoring: Drop in at RC 109G
- Communication Ability (CM) help: Reading, writing, listening, speaking, and related learning processes; Ellen in RC 133
- Study groups: CH 213 group in RC 109D
- Professional tutoring: Support in a variety of subjects, with drop-in and appointment options
- Help figuring out what you need: CLAS can help you identify a difficulty and make a plan
If you're not sure where to start, contact ML Cogar at ml.cogar@alverno.edu or stop by RC 129.
8. Multilingual Accommodation: Extended Time for Assessments
If you need additional time to process English during an assessment, you can contact the Student Accessibility Coordinator to ask about an extended-time accommodation.
Student Accessibility: studentaccessibility@alverno.edu; Sara Vogel, RC 131
An accommodation is different from tutoring or a study strategy. It provides an approved adjustment to the assessment environment so that you can demonstrate what you know.
Your Questions and Suggestions Are Welcome!
This list will continue to grow. If you know of a free resource that helps multilingual students read, listen, translate, speak, write, study, or demonstrate what they know, we'd like to hear about it.
You can also contact us if
- you aren't sure which resource to try
- a resource doesn't work well for you
- you have an idea for something that should be added
- you have a question about getting tutoring or other academic support.
ML Cogar
Director, Center for Learning and Assessment Support (CLAS)
ml.cogar@alverno.edu
RC 129
How to Request Support
You may self-refer for MLL support by contacting the MLL Coordinator (email clas@alverno.edu) or by clicking on the 'Ask for Help' button when you log into Blaze. There is a drop arrow list that allows you to select from categories such as MLL or Accessibility.
Your faculty and staff may also help you to request tutoring using the same methods (email or Blaze referral).
