Celebrating the Strength of Multilingualism

As students entered the gymnasium for Senior School assembly on Feb. 23, they were welcomed by their peers in 13 different languages.

The greeting set the tone for SMUS’s recognition of International Mother Language Day, led by the English Language Learning and Modern Languages departments.

One School, 45 Languages

Moments later, the entire room was on its feet.

Students were asked to stand if they spoke English. The entire gymnasium rose. They were then invited to remain standing if they spoke another language, then two additional languages, and finally three or more. With each prompt, fewer students remained upright until a small group was left standing. The exercise made the school’s linguistic diversity visible in a way few statistics could.

A recent survey conducted by the Modern Languages department revealed just how wide that range is. Of the 421 students and 45 teachers who responded, 170 speak three languages and 47 speak four or more. In total, 45 languages are represented in the Senior School community.

Students and staff who speak two or more languages in addition to English were invited to come forward and receive a water bottle sticker reading “Multilingualism is my Superpower.”

Multilingualism as Strength

For Leanne Hamilton, Head of English Language Learning, the recognition was about reframing multilingualism as a strength.

“Our students are incredibly brave,” she said. “To come to another country and function in an academic program in a second or third language takes courage. Multilingualism is not a deficit. It is a superpower.”

Hamilton noted that language is closely tied to identity and culture, and that publicly celebrating multilingualism builds awareness and pride across the school community.

That celebration is reflected not only in the assembly recognition, but also in the ongoing work of the Modern Languages department.

For the past decade, the department has presented a Top Linguist award to students who achieve 95 per cent or higher in two Grade 12 or AP languages other than their mother tongue. A plaque outside the language office honours recipients from previous years, recognizing students who demonstrate exceptional dedication and skill in language learning.

“Languages open doors,” said Laura Keziere, Head of Modern Languages, noting the advantages for university programs, employment and global citizenship. The department encourages students to study at least one additional language through Grade 11 in order to develop meaningful proficiency and fluency.

Every Voice Matters

Complementing the assembly recognition was a student-designed Mother Language Day t-shirt created by Grade 11 student Tommy Li. Inspired by everyday messaging apps, Li brought together “hello” in multiple languages inside a single speech bubble.

“People communicate in so many different languages online, yet those conversations all happen in the same shared space,” he wrote. “I wanted to reflect that idea by bringing together ‘hello’ in many different languages into a single speech bubble, symbolizing inclusivity and connection.”

The shirt features the message “Every Voice Matters,” a phrase that Li says speaks directly to the importance of language and identity.

“To me, ‘Every Voice Matters’ means everyone has the right to express themselves in their own language,” he said. “Language is closely tied to identity, and respecting language diversity is a way of respecting people themselves.”

Li, who speaks Mandarin, Cantonese, English and a regional dialect, said being exposed to multiple languages has shown him how powerful and personal language can be.

The assembly closed with a simple message: multilingualism is not something to overcome, but something to celebrate. At SMUS, every voice matters.