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Our Team
Multilingual Promise brings together expertise in early childhood education, multilingual development, educational technology, applied AI, research, and professional learning design.
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We create human-centered learning systems that transform educator preparation and practice—moving educators from knowledge-building to skill practice to demonstrated competency in a rapidly evolving digital and AI-enabled learning landscape.
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CAROLA
OLIVA- OLSON, Ph.D.
Founder & CEO
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ILYSSA
FOXX, M.A.
Chief of Operations
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GABRIELLA SOQUI, Ph.D. student
Research Fellow
© 2025 Multilingual Promise • All Rights Reserved
what we believe
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Home language is a strength, not a barrier.​
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Joy and learning belong together.
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Family partnerships power learning.
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Simple routines, done daily, create lasting change
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Access must be equitable.
Our approach
Innovative Learning Experiences
We design evidence-based, practical, and engaging learning experiences. Each course includes short, focused modules, customized practice simulations with feedback, and ready-to-use tools that fit seamlessly into real classrooms.
Research and credibility
Our content is grounded in the latest research on multilingual development and the science of reading. Every strategy we share is chosen for its proven impact on brain development and long-term academic success.
Equity and culture
We center equity in everything we do—through culturally responsive practices, identity-affirming materials, and inclusive course design that honors every learner’s background and language.
To learn more about this, check out our article “Creating a Terms and Conditions Policy”.
Multilingual Promise • Shaped by the latest research and innovation in multilingual early childhood education • © 2025
Multilingual Promise • Shaped by the latest research and innovation in multilingual early childhood education • © 2025
research
Our program are grounded in the latest research on linguistic and cognitive development in early childhood.
Operationalizing High Quality Dual Language Programming: From the Early Years to the early Grades
This report focuses on what it looks like to operationalize high quality dual language immersion for infants/toddlers, preschoolers, and students in Kindergarten through second grade. The brief provides an overview of important context and core concepts foundational for this work as well as a 7-part framework for high quality dual language immersion education for children in early care and education.
Oliva-Olson, C. et al (2024). Operationalizing high quality dual language programming: From the early years to the early grades [Contributing author]. Arizona State University – Center for Education Poverty & Innovation. https://cep.asu.edu/sites/g/files/litvpz916/files/2024-04/DLI-quality-indicators-032924.pdf
Promoting linguistic diversity and equity:
Teaching in multilingual learning spaces
This chapter from NAEYC’s book, “Focus on developmentally appropriate practice: Equitable and joyful learning in preschool” provides early educators with family focused strategies from Personalized Oral Language Learning (POLL). These concrete strategies have been found to support early educators with the learning and development of children in classrooms with a range of diverse languages.
Oliva Olson, C., Espinosa, L. M., Hayslip, W., & Magruder, E. S. (2022). Promoting linguistic diversity and equity: Teaching in multilingual learning spaces. In Focus on developmentally appropriate practice: Equitable and joyful learning in preschool (Chap. 11). National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Dos métodos: Two classroom language models in Head Start
This report highlights a study comparing Head Start classrooms implementing either the dual language model or the English with home language support model. The study shows that students in dual language classrooms showed significantly greater average gains from pretest to posttest in English oral proficiency and Spanish oral proficiency than did students in classrooms using the English with home language support model. Findings highlight the need for professional development on language model use to ensure consistency in delivery.
Oliva-Olson, C. (2019). Dos métodos: Two classroom language models in Head Start (Strengthening the diversity and quality of the early care and education workforce paper series). Urban Institute. https://www.urban.org/research/publication/dos-metodos-two-classroom-language-models-head-start
POLL Strategies
This resource focuses on Personalized Oral Language Learning (POLL). POLL is a set of research based, concrete approaches that support language learning in all environments, particularly for dual language learners (DLLs.) POLL focuses on developing children’s vocabulary, oral language, and comprehension skills through strategic planning for language experiences.
POLL helps Early Care and Education providers understand the importance of bilingualism and provides guidance and a range of strategies that all providers, including those who are monolingual, can implement to strengthen both children’s home language and English.
Oliva Olson, C., Espinosa, L., & Magruder, E. (n.d.). POLL strategies. https://www.pollstrategies.org/about/
Oliva-Olson, C., & Arambula-González, A. (2021). Effective practice-based coursework for dual language educators: A California equity-minded early approach. Multilingual Educator (CABE).
Oliva-Olson, C. (2019). Dos métodos: Two classroom language models in Head Start (Strengthening the diversity and quality of the early care and education workforce paper series). Urban Institute.
Oliva Olson, C., Espinosa, L., & Magruder, E. (n.d.). POLL strategies.
Oliva-Olson, C. (2024). Operationalizing high quality dual language programming: From the early years to the early grades [Contributing author]. Arizona State University – Center for Education Poverty & Innovation.​
Promoting linguistic diversity and equity: Teaching in multilingual learning spaces
This chapter from NAEYC’s book, “Focus on developmentally appropriate practice: Equitable and joyful learning in preschool” provides early educators with family focused strategies from Personalized Oral Language Learning (POLL). These concrete strategies have been found to support early educators with the learning and development of children in classrooms with a range of diverse languages.
Oliva Olson, C., Espinosa, L. M., Hayslip, W., & Magruder, E. S. (2022). Promoting linguistic diversity and equity: Teaching in multilingual learning spaces. In Focus on developmentally appropriate practice: Equitable and joyful learning in preschool (Chap. 11). National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Promoting linguistic diversity and equity:
Teaching in multilingual learning spaces
This chapter from NAEYC’s book, “Focus on developmentally appropriate practice: Equitable and joyful learning in preschool” provides early educators with family focused strategies from Personalized Oral Language Learning (POLL). These concrete strategies have been found to support early educators with the learning and development of children in classrooms with a range of diverse languages.
Oliva Olson, C., Espinosa, L. M., Hayslip, W., & Magruder, E. S. (2022). Promoting linguistic diversity and equity: Teaching in multilingual learning spaces. In Focus on developmentally appropriate practice: Equitable and joyful learning in preschool (Chap. 11). National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Dos métodos: Two classroom language models in Head Start
This report highlights a study comparing Head Start classrooms implementing either the dual language model or the English with home language support model. The study shows that students in dual language classrooms showed significantly greater average gains from pretest to posttest in English oral proficiency and Spanish oral proficiency than did students in classrooms using the English with home language support model. Findings highlight the need for professional development on language model use to ensure consistency in delivery.
Oliva-Olson, C. (2019). Dos métodos: Two classroom language models in Head Start (Strengthening the diversity and quality of the early care and education workforce paper series). Urban Institute. https://www.urban.org/research/publication/dos-metodos-two-classroom-language-models-head-start
POLL Strategies
This resource focuses on Personalized Oral Language Learning (POLL). POLL is a set of research based, concrete approaches that support language learning in all environments, particularly for dual language learners (DLLs.) POLL focuses on developing children’s vocabulary, oral language, and comprehension skills through strategic planning for language experiences.
POLL helps Early Care and Education providers understand the importance of bilingualism and provides guidance and a range of strategies that all providers, including those who are monolingual, can implement to strengthen both children’s home language and English.
Oliva Olson, C., Espinosa, L., & Magruder, E. (n.d.). POLL strategies. https://www.pollstrategies.org/about/
Oliva-Olson, C., & Arambula-González, A. (2021). Effective practice-based coursework for dual language educators: A California equity-minded early approach. Multilingual Educator (CABE).
Oliva-Olson, C. (2019). Dos métodos: Two classroom language models in Head Start (Strengthening the diversity and quality of the early care and education workforce paper series). Urban Institute.
Oliva Olson, C., Espinosa, L., & Magruder, E. (n.d.). POLL strategies.
Oliva-Olson, C. (2024). Operationalizing high quality dual language programming: From the early years to the early grades [Contributing author]. Arizona State University – Center for Education Poverty & Innovation.​
Dos métodos: Two classroom language models in Head Start
This report highlights a study comparing Head Start classrooms implementing either the dual language model or the English with home language support model. The study shows that students in dual language classrooms showed significantly greater average gains from pretest to posttest in English oral proficiency and Spanish oral proficiency than did students in classrooms using the English with home language support model. Findings highlight the need for professional development on language model use to ensure consistency in delivery.
Oliva-Olson, C. (2019). Dos métodos: Two classroom language models in Head Start (Strengthening the diversity and quality of the early care and education workforce paper series). Urban Institute. https://www.urban.org/research/publication/dos-metodos-two-classroom-language-models-head-start
Promoting linguistic diversity and equity:
Teaching in multilingual learning spaces
This chapter from NAEYC’s book, “Focus on developmentally appropriate practice: Equitable and joyful learning in preschool” provides early educators with family focused strategies from Personalized Oral Language Learning (POLL). These concrete strategies have been found to support early educators with the learning and development of children in classrooms with a range of diverse languages.
Oliva Olson, C., Espinosa, L. M., Hayslip, W., & Magruder, E. S. (2022). Promoting linguistic diversity and equity: Teaching in multilingual learning spaces. In Focus on developmentally appropriate practice: Equitable and joyful learning in preschool (Chap. 11). National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Dos métodos: Two classroom language models in Head Start
This report highlights a study comparing Head Start classrooms implementing either the dual language model or the English with home language support model. The study shows that students in dual language classrooms showed significantly greater average gains from pretest to posttest in English oral proficiency and Spanish oral proficiency than did students in classrooms using the English with home language support model. Findings highlight the need for professional development on language model use to ensure consistency in delivery.
Oliva-Olson, C. (2019). Dos métodos: Two classroom language models in Head Start (Strengthening the diversity and quality of the early care and education workforce paper series). Urban Institute. https://www.urban.org/research/publication/dos-metodos-two-classroom-language-models-head-start
POLL Strategies
This resource focuses on Personalized Oral Language Learning (POLL). POLL is a set of research based, concrete approaches that support language learning in all environments, particularly for dual language learners (DLLs.) POLL focuses on developing children’s vocabulary, oral language, and comprehension skills through strategic planning for language experiences.
POLL helps Early Care and Education providers understand the importance of bilingualism and provides guidance and a range of strategies that all providers, including those who are monolingual, can implement to strengthen both children’s home language and English.
Oliva Olson, C., Espinosa, L., & Magruder, E. (n.d.). POLL strategies. https://www.pollstrategies.org/about/
Oliva-Olson, C., & Arambula-González, A. (2021). Effective practice-based coursework for dual language educators: A California equity-minded early approach. Multilingual Educator (CABE).
Oliva-Olson, C. (2019). Dos métodos: Two classroom language models in Head Start (Strengthening the diversity and quality of the early care and education workforce paper series). Urban Institute.
Oliva Olson, C., Espinosa, L., & Magruder, E. (n.d.). POLL strategies.
Oliva-Olson, C. (2024). Operationalizing high quality dual language programming: From the early years to the early grades [Contributing author]. Arizona State University – Center for Education Poverty & Innovation.​
POLL Strategies
This resource focuses on Personalized Oral Language Learning (POLL). POLL is a set of research based, concrete approaches that support language learning in all environments, particularly for dual language learners (DLLs.) POLL focuses on developing children’s vocabulary, oral language, and comprehension skills through strategic planning for language experiences.
POLL helps Early Care and Education providers understand the importance of bilingualism and provides guidance and a range of strategies that all providers, including those who are monolingual, can implement to strengthen both children’s home language and English.
Oliva Olson, C., Espinosa, L., & Magruder, E. (n.d.). POLL strategies. https://www.pollstrategies.org/about/
Promoting linguistic diversity and equity:
Teaching in multilingual learning spaces
This chapter from NAEYC’s book, “Focus on developmentally appropriate practice: Equitable and joyful learning in preschool” provides early educators with family focused strategies from Personalized Oral Language Learning (POLL). These concrete strategies have been found to support early educators with the learning and development of children in classrooms with a range of diverse languages.
Oliva Olson, C., Espinosa, L. M., Hayslip, W., & Magruder, E. S. (2022). Promoting linguistic diversity and equity: Teaching in multilingual learning spaces. In Focus on developmentally appropriate practice: Equitable and joyful learning in preschool (Chap. 11). National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Dos métodos: Two classroom language models in Head Start
This report highlights a study comparing Head Start classrooms implementing either the dual language model or the English with home language support model. The study shows that students in dual language classrooms showed significantly greater average gains from pretest to posttest in English oral proficiency and Spanish oral proficiency than did students in classrooms using the English with home language support model. Findings highlight the need for professional development on language model use to ensure consistency in delivery.
Oliva-Olson, C. (2019). Dos métodos: Two classroom language models in Head Start (Strengthening the diversity and quality of the early care and education workforce paper series). Urban Institute. https://www.urban.org/research/publication/dos-metodos-two-classroom-language-models-head-start
POLL Strategies
This resource focuses on Personalized Oral Language Learning (POLL). POLL is a set of research based, concrete approaches that support language learning in all environments, particularly for dual language learners (DLLs.) POLL focuses on developing children’s vocabulary, oral language, and comprehension skills through strategic planning for language experiences.
POLL helps Early Care and Education providers understand the importance of bilingualism and provides guidance and a range of strategies that all providers, including those who are monolingual, can implement to strengthen both children’s home language and English.
Oliva Olson, C., Espinosa, L., & Magruder, E. (n.d.). POLL strategies. https://www.pollstrategies.org/about/
Oliva-Olson, C., & Arambula-González, A. (2021). Effective practice-based coursework for dual language educators: A California equity-minded early approach. Multilingual Educator (CABE).
Oliva-Olson, C. (2019). Dos métodos: Two classroom language models in Head Start (Strengthening the diversity and quality of the early care and education workforce paper series). Urban Institute.
Oliva Olson, C., Espinosa, L., & Magruder, E. (n.d.). POLL strategies.
Oliva-Olson, C. (2024). Operationalizing high quality dual language programming: From the early years to the early grades [Contributing author]. Arizona State University – Center for Education Poverty & Innovation.​
Multilingual Promise • Shaped by the latest research and innovation in multilingual early childhood education • © 2025

