Structured Multiliteracy

A cross-linguistic approach to literacy instruction grounded in the science of reading.

Structured Multiliteracy extends evidence-based literacy instruction across languages through explicit, systematic teaching that develops reading, writing, oral language, and comprehension together.

Rather than relying on translation alone, Structured Multiliteracy helps educators support multilingual learners through authentic instruction designed around how languages work.

Learn more about how Structured Multiliteracy supports multilingual learners in our free webinar.

Structured Multiliteracy

Skills are explicitly taught in a planned, logical sequence from simple to complex.

Students make connections across languages to strengthen literacy development.

Reading, writing, oral language, and comprehension develop together.

Core Components

The Building Blocks of Strong Literacy

Structured Multiliteracy integrates the essential components of literacy instruction while helping students make meaningful connections within and across languages.

Students learn to recognize, segment, blend, and manipulate speech sounds, building the foundation for decoding and spelling.
Instruction strengthens phonological awareness while helping students transfer sound-based skills across languages.

Students learn how letters and letter combinations represent sounds and how those patterns support reading and spelling.
Instruction is systematic and cumulative, promoting accurate word recognition and orthographic understanding.

Students study prefixes, suffixes, roots, and word structures to strengthen vocabulary, spelling, and comprehension.
Instruction helps students recognize meaningful relationships among words and make connections across languages.

Students learn how grammar, sentence structure, and word order function within and across languages.
This supports comprehension, written expression, oral language development, and academic language use.

Students build vocabulary through context, morphology, and cognate study while deepening their understanding of words and meaning.
Instruction supports comprehension of increasingly complex text.

Students learn how language is used in different social, cultural, and academic settings.
Instruction develops flexible communication skills while honoring linguistic and cultural diversity.

September 23, 2026

Join the Structured Multiliteracy Conversation

Attend our virtual half-day symposium to explore evidence-based literacy instruction with the experts. Whether you support multilingual learners at the classroom, school, or district level, you’ll walk away with valuable insights and actionable ideas to drive student success.

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Beyond Translation

An Intentional Approach to Literacy Instruction

Languages are not interchangeable—and literacy instruction should not be either. Structured Multiliteracy supports literacy development across languages from the start, rather than adapting English instruction through translation alone.

Traditional Approaches

Translated instruction

Isolated skill focus

English-first models

Language as obstacle

Guessing strategies

Structured Multiliteracy

Authentic language instruction

Integrated literacy development

Cross-linguistic learning

Language as asset

Explicit instruction

Research Foundation

Built on the Science of Reading

Structured Multiliteracy draws on research about how students develop language and literacy, recognizing the strengths multilingual learners bring to the learning process.

Explicit & Systematic

Direct instruction builds literacy skills efficiently and effectively.

Oral Language Development

Oral language supports reading, writing, and comprehension.

Cross-Linguistic Transfer

Knowledge in one language strengthens learning in another.

A smiling adult woman with long dark hair sits beside a young girl with a blue headband at a wooden classroom desk. The girl holds a pen and looks up at the woman while an open notebook lies in front of them. Warm natural light fills the background classroom setting.

Support for Every Learner

Extending Structured Multiliteracy Into Spanish

Structured Multiliteracy supports multilingual learners with diverse literacy needs, including students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences.

Esperanza Intervención applies Structured Multiliteracy through intensive Spanish-language intervention designed for Spanish-speaking students with significant reading challenges.

Authored by bilingual literacy expert Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan, the program provides explicit, systematic instruction aligned to the structure of the Spanish language—not translated from English.

Explore Esperanza Intervención

Structured Multiliteracy