Bili - Bilingual Generation

Is a multi-platform app that supports heritage language learning in school and at home for children ages 3-8. Bili was born out of our innovative curriculum for heritage language learners, ALAS.

In a pilot study, 100% of interviewed bilingual educators said they believe integrating social justice conversations and concepts into early childhood bilingual classrooms is important. However, only 16% said they feel supported in this same endeavor, and many shared stories of struggle — translating English materials into Spanish, coloring skin color in books to represent the children in their classrooms, and developing their own culturally and linguistically responsive materials.

We developed an innovative, standards-aligned curriculum that centers the identities of students. Teachers and families were inspired — and they made it clear that having access to the curriculum as a digital tool would be a game-changer.Bili was our answer.

The Bili app supports both bilingual and Spanish-immersion learning, and students and their caregivers can navigate the app in learning journey or open explore modes.

Traditional learning apps are not designed to support heritage language learners. Often, digital language learning tools dismiss students’ preexisting knowledge in their heritage language, and teach heritage languages without historical or cultural context. We’re here to do things differently. With the Bili app, children can:

Read stories and practice word formation in the “cuentos” section.
Create skeleton art while practicing counting and vocabulary in the “jugar” section.
Hear and say affirmations in the “bienestar” section, and engage in a guided discussion about kindness with a classmate or loved one in the “comunidad” section.
Explore the rich diversity of the Latinx experience through exposure to different Spanish dialects and culturally responsive characters.

Throughout the app, children are guided by Nuriah, Doña Lola, Tunita, Bili, and Kosti — characters that represent the rich diversity of the Latinx experience.

People are saying...

“We don’t have a lot of engaging Spanish Apps. And that’s what we’re lacking. I see a lot of parents who choose to be in dual language want more apps like this and more resources, and as a teacher, it’s been really, really hard to find good Spanish apps that also represent this culture. So I would be excited to use this right away.”
Teacher

“This is so great. I’ve never seen anything like it. I love that it is culturally responsive. My students can see themselves in the materials.”
Teacher

“This is just what we need…Right now, teachers are trying to supplement the curriculum. Sometimes we just get a curriculum from wherever and it is not culturally responsive.”
Teacher

“[It’s] a very helpful tool for teachers. We know that children love using apps, using the Chromebooks, and there are not many tools in Spanish.”
Teacher

Read stories and practice word formation in the “cuentos” section.

Create skeleton art while practicing counting and vocabulary in the “jugar” section.

Hear and say affirmations in the “bienestar” section, and engage in a guided discussion about kindness with a classmate or loved one in the “comunidad” section.

Explore the rich diversity of the Latinx experience through exposure to different Spanish dialects and culturally responsive characters.

Throughout the app, children are guided by Nuriah, Doña Lola, Tunita, Bili, and Kosti — characters that represent the rich diversity of the Latinx experience.

Want to be the first to know about our beta launch of the app?