How can you bravely advocate for your ELLs when your inner voice says, "don't rock the boat?”

I am a former rank-and-file Dual Language teacher with over 25 years experience working with teachers and principals of language learners.  I hold four degrees in Bilingual Education (what can I say? I love graduate school). My doctorate (NYU Steinhardt 2020) is in sociolinguistics with a focus on linguistic justice and pathways for teacher advocacy in K-12 schools.  

I started this company because I was frustrated that PDs never seemed to address the deficit attitudes monolingual teachers carry in their (well-meaning) efforts to support our bilingual kiddos.  And while instructional support holds an important place in any district’s PD calendar, so do equity initiatives that challenge these deficit narratives. That’s where I come in. 

Welcome to my company, keep scrolling to learn all about how YOU can join the movement to disrupt the Monolingual Bias. 

Warmly, 
Lillian Ardell, Ph.D. 
Speaker, Consultant, Founder

Hi, I’m Lillian!

what’s the Monolingual Bias?

The Monolingual Bias is a set of deficit ideologies about language that promotes the following narrative: our English Learners must acquire academic English proficiency as an assimilation tool to become more American. Proficiency must be achieved at all costs.

Sound familiar?

Ready to disrupt the bias?

Partner with Language Matters:

  • Workshops

    So often a Bilingual ED initiative gets dropped into schol districts with little to no support for those tasked with implementing & monitoring their success. We feel your problem, and that’s why we’re here to help. Discover how workshops can help by clicking below.

    WORKSHOPS

  • Speaking

    Transformations don't occur overnight— they require small, brave moments in front of influential educational stakeholders. That’s why my talks focus on empowering communities through bilingual habit-building. Learn more about the keynote by clicking below.

    KEYNOTE

  • Coaching

    An array of coaching options to help you address your most urgent challenges in Bilingual Ed. including budget restraints and curricular decisions. Let our experience in removing roadblocks transform your school. Discover the difference by clicking below.

    COACHING

She's a vibe…

  • "Lillian is a slap and a hug. She disarms you with facts and supports you with knowledge."New List Item

    Bayan Brito-Shaku, Assistant Principal at ACERO Charter School, Chicago IL

  • “LILLIAN INSPIRES EVERYONE TO EMBRACE THEIR OWN BILINGUALISM AND OWN THEIR BILINGUAL STORY,.. HER RESEARCH-BASED STRATEGIES NOT ONLY WORK, BUT THEY CAN BE IMPLEMENTED IMMEDIATELY IN YOUR CLASSROOM AT ALL LEVELS FOR ALL TEACHER LEVELS.”

    Myraim, Bilingual Instructional Coach

  • “THE CONTENT WAS MEANINGFUL AND RELEVANT TO MY WORK AND GAVE ME A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE …AND I FEEL SO CONFIDENT TO BRING THAT BACK TO MY TEACHERS. I CAN’T EVEN BEGIN TO TELL YOU THE EXCITEMENT AND THE MOMENTUM YOU WILL FEEL GOING BACK TO YOUR DISTRICT.”

    Jennifer, Director of TESOL Support, Newark Board of Education

  • “EN CADA UNA DE LAS SESIONES QUE HE TENIDO CON ELLA HE PODIDO CREAR UNA COLECCIÓN DE ESTRATEGIAS Y HERRAMIENTAS DE ENSEÑANZA QUE HE PODIDO APLICAR DIRECTAMENTE AL DÍA SIGUIENTE.”

    Sandra, Early Literacy Coach, Oakland ISD

  • “I THINK THAT LILLIAN IS WHAT EVERY TEACHER, EVERY SCHOOL, AND EVERY DISTRICT NEEDS AND THEY DON’T KNOW THAT THEY NEED IT – SHE’S THE MISSING PIECE.” SHIRLEY, 3RD GRADE DUAL LANGUAGE TEACHER FOR CPS

    Shirley, 3rd Grade Dual Language Teacher, CPS

  • “LILLIAN TRULY UNDERSTANDS THE NEEDS OF EMERGING MULTILINGUALS, I REALLY FEEL LIKE I’LL NEVER LOOK AT LANGUAGE THE SAME WAY, BECAUSE LANGUAGE MATTERS.”

    Diana, Dean of Multilingual Learners, Dual Language Charter Schools of Brooklyn, New York

  • “LILLIAN IS A ONE-OF-A-KIND SCHOLAR AND CONSULTANT. SHE BRINGS A DEEP AND CURRENT KNOWLEDGE OF BILINGUAL CLASSROOMS ALONGSIDE A CUTTING EDGE ACADEMIC BACKGROUND. SHE KNOWS KIDS, TEACHERS, AND INSTRUCTION.”

    Laura Ascenzi-Moreno, Professor of Childhood, Bilingual, and Special Education at Brooklyn College & Bilingual Program Coordinator

Feeling Inspired?

Want to disrupt the bias but don’t know how?

Let’s Connect

  • Follow for engaging food-for-thought content— we share our Bilingual ED take on recent news and articles and would love to hear yours!

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  • Keep up with everything with little snapshots of what we’re doing to make a difference in the Bilingual ED world. Every small step makes a difference and we want to share those with you!

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  • Resources, support and advocacy to engage your bilingual learners, get in touch to see how my services can contribute to your team.

    Schedule a time to chat