IMLD 25: Why Bilingualism in Any Language is Important in our Globalised World

  • DATE

    25 February 2025

  • TIME

    6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

  • AGES

    All ages welcome

  • PRICE

    Free

  • VENUE

    Instituto Cervantes
    326-330 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4FN

The Instituto Cervantes Manchester celebrates International Mother Language Day with the lecture ‘Why Bilingualism in Any Language Is Important in Our Globalised World’ by Professor Antonella Sorace (University of Edinburgh).

This lecture is part of our Bilingualism Series, coordinated by Dr. Julio Villa-Garcia (University of Oviedo).

Many people still think that bilingualism with minority or minoritized languages makes children confused and puts them at a disadvantage at school. Research, in contrast, shows that having more than one language – any language – can potentially give
children (and then adults) not only enhanced cultural awareness but also social, linguistic and mental benefits. However, the presence of these benefits in bilingualism with minority languages crucially depends on positive, supportive and informed attitudes around children and relies on firm community foundations for inter-generational transmission. I will illustrate these facts and show how the centre Bilingualism Matters enables families, teachers, and policy makers – in Scotland and internationally – to make decisions on bilingualism informed by research.