Multilingual Practices: Tackling Challenges and Creating Opportunities from FutureLearn

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is aimed at a wide range of people with an interest in multilingualism such as migrants, linguistics and language students, teachers, language policy makers, professionals who are working in a multilingual environment or parents, who are considering to raise their children multilingually. It may also be an interesting addition for learners who participated in University of Southampton’s course on Understanding Language . However, no prior knowledge is required to take part in the course and we welcome anyone who is curious to know more about multilingual practices. You can use the hashtag #FLmultilingualism to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

Definition of multilingualism from an individual and a research perspective
Language attitudes towards different languages
Multilingualism in the urban scenery (linguistic landscaping)
Language policies and the protection of endangered languages
Heritage language maintenance and transmission in multilingual communities
Advantages and challenges of multilingualism in the workplace
Multilingualism in education (the case of the trilingual education)
The role of the English language in multilingual education models
The cognitive advantage of bi- or multilinguals
Types and features of minority languages
New speakers of minority languages
Language contact (contact linguistics)

Reviews summary

Broad overview of multilingual practices

According to learners, the course Multilingual Practices: Tackling Challenges and Creating Opportunities provides a broad overview of various aspects of multilingualism. Many found the content highly relevant and engaging, appreciating the discussion of topics like cognitive benefits, linguistic landscaping, and heritage language maintenance. The course is described as well-structured with clear lectures, making it accessible for a wide audience, including professionals and parents. While generally seen as a largely positive experience providing a good foundation, some students felt it lacked sufficient depth in certain areas and that some readings were too academic or didn't align perfectly with the videos. Overall, it's recommended as a solid introduction but may not meet the expectations of those seeking advanced insights.

Accessible to those new to the topic.

"Highly recommended for anyone interested in linguistics or societal aspects of language."

"I think it's better suited for beginners or those needing a general understanding rather than advanced learners."

"The course is accessible even without a background in linguistics, making it suitable for a wide audience."

Directly applicable to work and personal life.

"Great overview for professionals working in diverse environments."

"As a parent raising bilingual children, the section on heritage language maintenance was incredibly valuable and practical."

"The modules on language policy and education were particularly useful for my work."

"provided me with a much better understanding of the complexities of multilingual environments, which is directly applicable to my job."

Content is interesting and applicable.

"An excellent and eye-opening course!"

"The content is relevant and the lectures are clear."

"The topics were diverse and presented in an engaging manner."

"Highly relevant content presented clearly. The course provided me with a much better understanding of the complexities of multilingual environments..."

"Engaging discussions and thought-provoking materials."

Explores many facets of multilingualism.

"It covers a wide range of fascinating topics related to multilingualism, from individual cognitive benefits to societal language policies."

"Very informative course covering many aspects of multilingualism."

"The topics were diverse and presented in an engaging manner. I learned so much about linguistic landscaping and the challenges faced by minority languages."

"Good overview, covered a lot of ground. Some topics were fascinating, others less so, which is expected in a broad course."

Supplemental readings were sometimes difficult.

"Some of the readings were a bit academic for a general audience, but overall accessible."

"The readings were too academic and sometimes didn't align well with the videos."

More introductory than advanced.

"Found this course a bit too basic. Expected more depth on the 'tackling challenges' aspect, especially for professionals."

"Good starting point but maybe needs more depth in certain areas."

"Solid introduction to multilingual practices. The course provides a good foundation, but don't expect to become an expert."

"Needed more practical examples on 'creating opportunities'. Good theoretical foundation though."

Career center

Learners who complete Multilingual Practices: Tackling Challenges and Creating Opportunities will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers: