The European Day of Languages has become an inspiration for the Polish Culture NL Foundation, www.polishculture.nl to organize a symposium devoted to multilingualism in upbringing and education.
An important part of the activities of the Foundation is the promotion of the Polish language in the Netherlands. Direct contact with the language contributes to a better understanding of Poland and its culture. This concept is one of the pillars of our vision to build cultural bridges between Poland and the Netherlands. Every year we organize a symposium entitled LANGUAGE DIVERSITY IN AMSTERDAM.
On Sunday, September 26, 2021, the second edition of this event was held at the OBA Oosterdok Public Library, where speakers strongly encouraged the cultivation of parents’ native languages and argued for the benefits of multilingualism. This topic is extremely important considering that Amsterdam’s residents represent nearly 180 language groups and the use of several languages is part of their everyday life.
The audience included parents of multilingual children, education professionals, psychologists and linguists.
How does multilingualism affect a young person’s development? How to best conduct multilingual education? How to popularize the knowledge about it? Knowledge, the demand for which is growing rapidly given the fact that nearly 70% of the world’s population speaks more than one language on a daily basis. All this was discussed by the speakers – experts in linguistics, pedagogy and psychology. Among them were:
Ute Limacher-Riebold, author of books about the development of children in multilingual families. Ute talked about supporting the language development of children who speak more than one language. www.utesininternationallounge.com
Maaike Verrips, initiator of the website www.meertalig.nl who answered questions on how best to raise multilingual children
Ellen-Rose Kambel, promoting the idea of a Language Friendly School that caters to the increasing multilingualism. The school respects and values all languages present, understanding that this diversity is a result of migration, which more and more people are choosing to do as they seek work, flee war and conflict, or join their loved ones. www.languagefriendlyschool.org
Mindy McCraken and Josh Martin, who both work at the International School of The Hague on a daily basis, spoke about their experiences in multilingual education. Mindy and Josh shared their knowledge about translinguaging and what tools modern technology provides to help in a multilingual school.
The event was moderated by Milka Yemane, for whom multilingualism is embedded in her personal experience. Of Eritrean origin, she grew up in the Netherlands, where she now runs the Lemat Foundation and advises on inclusion, integration and international cooperation.
At the end, a panel discussion took place with the participation of the speakers, accompanied by representatives of the Polish Culture NL Foundation, www.polishculture.nl and the Taal naar Keuze Foundation, www.taalnaarkeuze.nl On the website of the latter, you can watch a film entitled ‘Dutch and other languages together at school’, which takes a closer look at the issue of multilingualism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al-0uyXneb0&t=19s
The discussion, though factual and substantive, was not devoid of the emotions that multilingualism evokes in people for whom it has been or is a permanent feature of their lives.
In a world where more and more people migrate, it is necessary to popularize and raise awareness of multilingualism. Both teachers and parents raising multilingual children need information. It is necessary to create a space where this knowledge is developed and accessible to everyone, so that multilingualism can find its permanent place in social life.
Many issues were discussed and clarified, and important questions were raised. We will find the answers during the next, third edition of the symposium LANGUAGE DIVERSITY IN AMSTEDAM, which is planned for September 2022.
