Language Policy and Multilingualism

Exploring multilingual policy and practice in England and beyond

Within the context of England, we are interested in the place afforded to languages in the English educational context, which includes two related themes: (1) the teaching of foreign languages in schools, and in particular the implementation of the 2014 Government Policy introducing compulsory foreign language learning in primary schools in England, and (2) multilingual children in English schools, both in the mainstream curriculum and in the foreign language classroom. This work is carried out within the context of the RiPL network (Research in Primary Languages), a network of researchers, practising teachers, teacher educators and policy makers, chaired by Florence Myles.

Outside England, we look at how societal multilingualism is linked to language policy, sustainability and access to resources, particularly in the contexts of Zambia, Botswana, and Tanzania.