It seems we are quite ambivalent! Let's conclude that challenges can also make us stronger! 

I would also like to thank you for your active participation today! It has been exciting to read your comments, resources and project initiatives. 

I have a question about the question. :-) Do we mean "foreign language learning", as in learning the language of countries you do not live in - or second language learning for immigrants? If it is the latter, I think somebody has commented that inclusion promotes language learning and languane learning promotes inclusion. Just the type of positive circle we want to create!

Both ways are true: Without language it is very difficult to ever feel at home in your surroundings, but without opportunities to talk, interact and be part of it is very difficult to learn any language. 

Very interesting experience and very good article!

Thank you for sharing your blog! 

Indeed, the social perspective of learning together makes learning together more enjoyable. 

(Translation: Perhaps this has already been mentioned in this discussion, but I would like to point out the importance of non-verbal language - gestures, facial expressions, intonation, and so on. A lot of misunderstanding arises when we do not know the non-verbal language of another culture and on the contrary we can establish a perfect relationship using it.)

Indeed! That is a very important part of language and one that we often forget. Good intercultural communication depends on being aware of these differences. And to do so, we need to gather the support of speakers of the immigrant language who have already been integrated in the new society and understand the differences.

I think it has a very important role to play. Especially, in language learning's part in contributing to mutual understanding, and tolerance societies, something raised earlier during this discussion. 

You point out a very important issue, both in terms of language learning and of inclusion. My answer to your question would be: create MANY different types of offer, in cooperation with as many civic society associations as possible:

- Family learning groups, where parents having children in the same class can discuss school related issues

- Sports based groups 

- Handicraft- and arts based groups

- Coffee gatherings

- Cooking! Immigrant cuisine is something many "national" will find very interesting!

We need to make use of all our fantasy and creativity to find out what will interest both the national people and their immigrant neighbours. 

It was mentioned already in the discussion just how important role authentic native input means to language learners. I surely agree with you! Eva from Hungary mentioned that watching series online is something that younger generations delve into. 

I agree with you, Marios. The native speaker offers so much more than just language: a bridge to the culture, history and customs of a language/country. I am learning Italian right now and with learning it from an italian teacher, I learn about the values, the traditions, but also the little things like the most favored dishes and festivities. This makes me feel more at ease with my surroundings. I live in the italian speaking part of Switzerland. Still struggling..... 

Absolutely agree that interaction with native speakers has significantly positive effect on language learning as you learn it "by doing". Moreover, you immediately learn the correct pronunciation. And when you have learnt a language "subconsciously", then it is much easier to learn it thoroughly later on, e.g. the correct grammar. 

I know that children are especially good at learning any language just by playing or interacting with someone speaking other languages. And even just by watching cartoons. Shouldn't we expose children to different languages more often? My child's kindergarten had a babysitter who spoke to children just in English. I believe this experience ensured more effective learning than special English language courses for children.

I guess no country is ever well enough prepared, and the problem you point out is indeed important. One way of solving is for each country to be aware of the fact that the immigrants that have already learnt the national language are a hugely useful asset to ensure the inclusion of newly arrived immigrants from the same linguistic origin. Being able to translate important information to the language of newly arrived immigrants will be a great help.

During the start of the current COVID crisis many European countries made sure that important health information was made available online in as many immigrant languages as was practically possible.

In terms of literacy + language, another important example is the publication of children literature in bilingual versions, one of them being the national language and the other an immigrant language. Parents are able to exercise their own literacy reading to the children in their own language, and they are able to practise the 2nd language they need to learn as well.

Hi Tanja,

here in Austria many official educational websites offer material in the most widely spoken foreign languagues, which in Austria includes Arabic and Dari. See for instance this language portal https://sprachportal.integrationsfonds.at/english/

or this overview on the Austrian educational system (in 20 languages): 
https://www.bildungssystem.at/en/print-products/graphic-overview-of-the…

In language courses communication is in the target language from the beginning, so teachers do not necessarily need to know the original language (impossible in groups of learners from different countries).

But is surely helps when teachers are bilingual and therefore serve as a role model (German as a learnable language :) ) - i.e. teachers of German with Arabic as a mother tongue. 

Kind regards, Eva

Thank you for mentioning India's example - quite impressive to see such an effect of a simple thing. Moreover, subtitles are not only good to learn/improve language skills, but also for accessibility - in case someone has bad hearing, or just the environment is loud and it is difficult to hear, or maybe you just need to turn the sound low (e.g., when watching something while others sleep). The same applies to all online videos.