Dr Yongcan Liu, University of Cambridge
The importance of developing a cross-field language policy to help unlock the potential of bilingual migrant children
In this talk, I argue for the importance of developing a cross-field language policy to help unlock the potential of bilingual migrant children in schools and communities. I start with a theoretical argument for the need to redefine the concept of ‘communicative competence’ to include a heritage dimension, in wake of the context of ‘super-diversity’ and ‘super-uncertainty’. I then illustrate this argument based on several distinct yet interlocking strands of work that I have been involved in the past few years: English as an additional language, MFL in schools, heritage language maintenance, and languages in EiE. A common thread that runs through all four strands of work seems to point to the importance of valuing language heritage in learning. The talk concludes by suggesting some preliminary ideas for a cross-field language strategy to support the education of bilingual children on the move based on a broadened notion of ‘communicative competence’.
https://www.ed.ac.uk/education/rke/centres-groups/etal/seminars