How multilingual learners are portrayed in recent news media: a cross-platform content analysis

This paper explores how multilingual learners (MLs) are described in recent news media related to U.S. education. Drawing on narrative and languaging lenses, we use qualitative methods to identify terms used to describe MLs across popular news media platforms in 2022-2024. Specifically, we ask: (1) What terms for multilingual learners are used across news media platforms? (2) What topics are discussed in relation to terms? and (3) What discursive moves and narrative trends are used when describing these learners? Terms used to describe MLs included English Language Learner, multilingual, bilingual, immigrant, migrant, refugee, international, and undocumented. Topics discussed in relation to these terms included: assessment/testing, bilingualism, demographics, financial aid, instruction, program/service models, resources, staffing, student academic performance, student experience, and visa/legal status. Discursive moves examined speakers, definitions for MLs, locations, and whether MLs were acted/acted on, while narrative trends included: support, special groups, surge, strain, and uncertain times.