Teaching in a bilingual classroom is such a rewarding experience, but it also comes with its own unique challenges. When I first started, I quickly realized that what worked in an English classroom didn’t always translate (literally and figuratively) into French. There was a lot of trial and error, a lot of adapting, and honestly—a lot of creating my own resources! Looking back, here are five things I wish I had known before stepping into a bilingual classroom.
Not Every Resource Works in Both Languages
I learned this one fast. Some activities that are perfect in English just don’t work the same way in French, especially when it comes to phonics, sentence structure, or word patterns. Many “print and go” resources are designed with English learners in mind, which can make things tricky when teaching French Immersion. That’s why I started creating my own resources—ones that work seamlessly in both languages and take the guesswork out of adapting everything.
👉 Want ready-to-go bilingual resources? Check out my Math Chain Links – Counting 1-30, Alphabet Roll & Clip Clothespin Centre, and Valentine Cards from Teacher to Student—all available in both French and English!
2. Hands-On Materials Always Win with Little Learners
No matter the language, hands-on activities always keep students engaged. When young learners can touch, move, and manipulate materials, they build deeper connections to what they’re learning. This is especially true in a bilingual setting where students might still be developing vocabulary—having visual and tactile experiences helps bridge that gap.
Some of my favourite hands-on activities include:
✅ Clip cards (great for letter/sound matching!)
✅ Chain link counting activities
✅ Playdough-based letter and number formation
3. Fine Motor Skills Are Just as Important as Literacy and Math
It’s easy to focus on letters, sounds, and numbers, but fine motor skills are just as critical—especially for bilingual learners! Many students are still developing their pencil grip, scissor skills, and hand strength, which directly impacts their ability to write in either language. Activities like tearing paper, using tweezers, and working with clothespins can make a huge difference in building those muscles.
💡 Need ideas? My Hands-On Celebration Bundles include fine motor activities like torn paper art and pin art, which are fun and developmentally supportive.
4. Keeping Materials Simple Makes Everything Easier
When I first started, I wanted my classroom to have all the things—perfect anchor charts, colour-coded everything, tons of manipulatives. But I quickly realized that too much can be overwhelming (for both students and teachers!). The best thing I did? Simplified my materials. Now, I focus on resources that are:
✔️ Easy to prep
✔️ Reusable
✔️ Flexible for multiple learning levels
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try cutting back and focusing on what truly supports student learning—you’ll feel the difference!
5. Sharing Resources and Ideas with Other Bilingual Teachers Is a Game-Changer
Teaching in a bilingual classroom can feel isolating, especially if you don’t have many colleagues teaching in the same program. But finding other bilingual educators—whether in your school, online, or in teacher communities—makes all the difference. Sharing resources, strategies, and challenges helps lighten the load and brings fresh ideas into the classroom.
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Teaching in a bilingual classroom has been such a learning journey, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. If you’re in the same boat, I hope these tips help you feel more prepared and confident. What’s something you wish you knew before teaching in a bilingual classroom? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments!