How can we support young multilingual learners in early childhood education? Touching on assessment challenges for this population, Drs. Timpe-Laughlin and Sova will draw upon a current research project in which they implemented a multilingual awareness intervention at two highly diverse preschools in the Northeast. Best practices and practical recommendations will be addressed.

About the Presenters

Dr. Veronika Timpe-Laughlin

Dr. Veronika Timpe-Laughlin (Dr. phil., TU Dortmund, Germany) is a senior research scientist in the Center for Language Education and Assessment Research at Educational Testing Service (ETS) in Princeton, NJ. Veronika began her career as an English and German teacher in Germany and Mexico. Since joining ETS in 2013, Veronika’s research has focused on pragmatics, human-AI conversation, young learner assessment, and multilingual awareness in early childhood education. Recently, her research was published in Intercultural Pragmatics, Language Testing, and Language Teaching Research. She also serves as the research coordinator for the TOEFL® Young Student Series.

Dr. Lorraine Sova

Dr. Lorraine Sova (Ph.D., Temple University) is an assessment specialist at Educational Testing Service (ETS) and focuses on the design and development of English language proficiency assessments for young learners as well as teaching and learning content for English language educators and their students. Dr. Sova has particular interests in second language learning and literacy and multilingual awareness in diverse young learner classrooms.

About the Series

The Community Talks series provides researchers, practitioners, families, and community stakeholders learning opportunities to increase their understanding and ability to apply knowledge related to language development for multilingual populations in their respective settings. An attendance certificate will be provided at the end of each session.

These community talks on multilingualism and assessment issues are sponsored by Dr. Sharolyn D. Pollard-Durodola, professor and Dunn Family Endowed Chair of Educational Assessment. The events are co-hosted by the Lynn Bennett Early Childhood Education Center and the COE Early Childhood, Multilingual, and Special Education Department.