Theme: Multilingual classrooms: inclusive spaces?
Convenor/s: West Midlands RIG
Multilingual classrooms: inclusive spaces?
What is a multilingual classroom? This phrase is used regularly in discussions on inclusivity, equality and EAL pedagogy, but what does it mean in practice? In UK schools, are languages other than English given equal status, or are some looked upon more favourably?
Denise Amankwah from Essex University will talk about her research into African languages. She explores the hidden hierarchies in classrooms where African heritage languages can exist at an almost invisible level compared to more visible European heritage languages.
John Claughton from WoLLoW (World of Languages and the Language of the World) will introduce their free curriculum developed for pupils aged 7 -15. Their website describes the project as, “curriculum package for primary and secondary schools, which teaches children the history, culture and development of all languages and how they have shaped our lives.”
This promises to be an informative and thought-provoking meeting. How does human identity, created by an individual’s language and culture, marry with current political pressure for the national integration of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. Where do classrooms feature in this debate?