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Multilingualism

For many people, multilingualism is part of their lived reality. In the early stages of life, it facilitates greater mental flexibility and empathy, whereas in later life it counteracts mental deterioration processes. Culturally sensitive behavior, identity and belonging, career opportunities, mobility – the topic encompasses many aspects. 

Several people put their heads together and have fun. © Getty Images

  • Practical tips
     Multilingualism – An asset in promoting literacy

    Multilingual learners consolidate reading strategies more effectively if they can draw on all their language skills – an approach that valorizes and makes the most of their previous knowledge.

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    Four children sit at a table. © Colourbox

  • Language learning and German education policy
    Bilinguals have better maths skills

    Language learning trains the brain. Learning two languages at an early age develops language skills in general. But bilingual kids also do better in other cognitive subjects – like mathematics. Professors Michaela Sambanis and Heiner Böttger explain why a paradigm shift is needed and how to make it work.

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    Little boy in front of blackboard © Getty Images

  • Digitization and multilingualism
     "The world is language": Why language learning is worthwhile even in the digital age

    Innovative technology helps us communicate in different languages. Will translation apps make learning a foreign language superfluous? How can we rekindle the desire to learn languages? Professors M. Sambanis and H. Böttger share some fascinating findings from neuroscience research on language learning.

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    Language © Adobe Stock

  • The European Day of Languages
     Celebrating Europe’s linguistic diversity

    Celebrated since 2001, the European Day of Languages highlights the importance of languages in promoting unity in diversity across Europe. Find out about the origins of the Day, why it remains so popular, what is happening on 26 September 2024 and how you can be part of it.

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    Tag der Sprachen © EFSZ Graz

  • Language mediation
     Language mediation is more than translation

    Language mediation is the sixth competence defined in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Why has it become more important and how can it be incorporated into lessons?

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    Language mediation takes the situation and adressee into account © Colourbox

  • German after English
    When more is better after all

    Physics lessons presuppose a knowledge of mathematics; to learn basketball, one must already have learned to throw a ball; politics classes often draw on the pupils’ knowledge of history. It is surprising, then, that foreign language classes appear to stand on their own. This tendency results in the loss of important potential when teaching GFL.

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    A knowledge of other foreign languages facilitates German learning. Photo: © Marco2811 - adobe stock

  • Didactics
     Multilingualism in teacher training

    How can teachers take advantage of multilingual potential in their classes? And how can trainee teachers best be prepared for linguistic diversity in the classroom? Theorists and practitioners in Germany and Europe are looking into these questions.

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  • Language proficiency
    “Multilingual children have something of a head start”

    One in three children in Germany is born into a family of migrant origin. Anja Wildemann from the University of Koblenz-Landau, studies how the multilingual abilities of such children can be utilized in primary schools.

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    Language proficiency and multilingualism Photo (detail): © drubig-photo

  • Multilingualism
     Languages open doors for children

    Children experience their own multilingualism mainly as positive, says Professor Ingelore Oomen-Welke. But this needs certain conditions.

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    Ismail and Farida look upon their multilingualism as something completely natural. Photo (detail): © Janna Degener

  • The Germans and the Dutch
    Conversing in Two Languages

    Transnational communication is just part of everyday life for people living on the border. It works well even if the Germans and the Dutch talk to one another in their own mother tongues, as Professor Gunther De Vogelaer knows.

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    Dutch and German are languages that are closely related to one another Photo (detail) © MaZi - Fotolia.com

  • International Youth Meetings
     Wide-Ranging Learning Effects

    Youth meetings have long been an integral part of school and extra-curricular educational offerings. But do they have a lasting significance for the development of young people?

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    Double learning effect Photo (detail): © BillionPhotos.com - Fotolia.com

  • “A Framework of Reference for Pluralistic Approaches to Languages and Cultures”
     Intercultural competences in teaching and learning

    The “Framework of Reference for Pluralistic Approaches to Languages and Cultures” (FREPA) is a tool used to describe intercultural and plurilingual competences, which should also be developed in GFL teaching and learning.

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    Intensive Course on level A2 © Goethe-Institut/Sonja Tobias

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