Language is much more than words on a page. It carries family traditions, memories, cultural knowledge, and ways of understanding the world. Every conversation, bedtime story, recipe shared between generations, or greeting in a familiar language helps strengthen connections between people and communities.
In a diverse city like Burnaby, multilingualism is one of our greatest strengths. Residents speak dozens of languages, celebrate cultures from around the world, and bring unique experiences that enrich schools, neighbourhoods, workplaces, and community organizations.
Supporting literacy means recognizing that reading, writing, speaking, listening, and understanding can happen in many languages. By embracing multilingualism and celebrating cultural stories, we help create communities where everyone feels welcome, valued, and empowered to learn throughout life.
Literacy Means More Than Reading
When many people hear the word literacy, they think of learning to read and write, and while those skills are certainly essential, literacy today includes much more.
Literacy also involves the ability to:
- Communicate effectively
- Understand information
- Think critically
- Navigate everyday life
- Participate fully in school, work, and the community
Decoda Literacy Solutions describes literacy as the foundation for lifelong learning, helping people develop the knowledge and confidence needed to participate fully in society. Literacy continues to grow throughout life, from early childhood through adulthood.
For many people in Burnaby, literacy also includes learning and communicating in more than one language.
Burnaby’s Diversity Is One of Its Greatest Strengths
Burnaby is one of Canada’s most culturally diverse cities.
According to the 2021 Census, more than half of Burnaby residents have a mother tongue other than English or French, and well over one hundred languages are spoken throughout the community. This diversity enriches schools, libraries, neighbourhoods, and workplaces while creating opportunities for people to learn from one another.
Walking through Burnaby, you might hear conversations in:
- Spanish
- Italian
- Japanese
- Mandarin
- Cantonese
- Korean
- Tagalog
- Punjabi
- Persian
- Vietnamese
…and many other languages.
Each language represents histories, traditions, and perspectives that contribute to the city’s vibrant cultural life. (Source: Statistics Canada: Census Language Data)
Why Speaking More Than One Language Matters
Research continues to show that multilingualism offers many benefits throughout life.
Children who grow up hearing and speaking multiple languages can develop stronger communication skills, greater cultural awareness, and increased flexibility when solving problems. Adults who maintain multiple languages often enjoy stronger connections with family members and communities while preserving important cultural traditions.
UNESCO also emphasizes that learning in one’s first language supports educational success, inclusion, and lifelong learning. Multilingual education helps learners build confidence while respecting cultural identity and linguistic diversity.
Rather than replacing one language with another, multilingual communities encourage people to build on the languages they already know.
Stories Connect Generations
Every family has stories worth sharing.
Some are written in books.
Others are passed down around the dinner table, during celebrations, or while preparing traditional meals.
These stories help children learn:
- Family history
- Cultural traditions
- Values
- Problem-solving
- Empathy
- Language
Storytelling has always been one of humanity’s oldest forms of learning. Long before books were widely available, knowledge was shared through oral traditions that connected generations and preserved cultures.
Reading books together and sharing family stories both help children develop vocabulary, listening skills, imagination, and confidence.
Reading in Your Home Language Supports Learning
Some families worry that speaking multiple languages at home might confuse children.
Research tells us the opposite.
Experts encourage families to continue speaking, reading, singing, and telling stories in the language they know best. A strong foundation in a child’s first language supports overall language development and can make learning additional languages easier over time.
Whether a family speaks English, French, Arabic, Italian, Japanese, Cantonese, Spanish, Farsi, or another language at home, every language contributes to a child’s learning journey.
Reading together in any language builds literacy.
Community Literacy Builds Belonging
Literacy is not something people develop alone.
Communities play an important role by creating welcoming spaces where people can learn, ask questions, share experiences, and support one another.
Organizations across Burnaby help make learning accessible by offering programs for children, youth, adults, newcomers, seniors, and families.
These opportunities may include:
- Family literacy programs
- English language learning
- Digital literacy workshops
- Early childhood activities
- Homework support
- Conversation circles
- Reading programs
- Community events
When learning is accessible, communities become more connected, inclusive, and resilient.
Libraries Help Communities Learn Together
Libraries are among the most welcoming places in a community.
Today’s libraries offer much more than shelves of books. They provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn new skills, explore different cultures, and connect with others.
For multilingual families, libraries often provide:
- Books in many languages
- Bilingual children’s books
- My First Language Kits with a selection of children’s picture books offered in 30+ languages
- Storytimes
- Literacy programs
- Language learning resources
- Digital collections
- Welcoming community spaces
The Burnaby Public Library offers multilingual collections, family programs, newcomer resources, digital learning opportunities, and events that support lifelong learning for residents of all ages.
Libraries help ensure that everyone can discover stories that reflect their own experiences while also exploring cultures beyond their own.
Local Resources That Support Literacy in Burnaby
Burnaby Public Library
It offers multilingual collections, children’s story times, newcomer resources, digital learning tools, reading recommendations, family activities, community events and much more. These free resources make it easier for residents to continue learning throughout their lives.
Burnaby Neighbourhood House
It supports families, newcomers, seniors, and community members through educational programs, settlement services, family activities, and opportunities to build meaningful community connections.
Burnaby Early Childhood Development Table
It brings together local organizations to support children from birth to age six and their families. Through community events, parent resources, and collaborative initiatives, the Table promotes healthy child development, early learning, family literacy, and strong community connections.
Literacy Now Burnaby
Literacy Now Burnaby works with schools, libraries, community organizations, volunteers, and local partners to promote literacy across all ages. Through free book events, community outreach, family literacy initiatives, and collaborative partnerships, the organization helps make reading and learning more accessible throughout Burnaby.
Simple Ways to Celebrate Language and Literacy
Everyday moments can become opportunities for learning.
Here are a few simple ideas:
- Read together every day, even for just 15 minutes.
- Visit your local library regularly.
- Borrow books in your home language.
- Encourage children to ask questions.
- Share family stories across generations.
- Learn greetings from another language.
- Attend multicultural festivals and community events.
- Read books by authors from different cultures.
- Support local bookstores and libraries.
- Celebrate the languages spoken in your family.
Small habits like these help children become confident readers while encouraging curiosity, empathy, and lifelong learning.
Learning From One Another
One of Burnaby’s greatest strengths is its people.
Every language spoken, every story shared, and every book read helps create a stronger community where everyone has opportunities to learn and belong.
When we celebrate multilingualism, encourage reading in every language, and support accessible literacy programs, we invest in a future where learning is lifelong and every voice matters.
Together, we can continue building a Burnaby where literacy connects people, cultures, and generations.