Activity 3

Host: Welcome to today’s episode. I’m your host, Tim, and today we’re joined by Prof. Elena Gomez Parra, an expert in multilingual education. We’ll be discussing the state of European educational systems and their approach to language diversity. Dr. Gomez Parra, thank you for being here.

Prof. Elena: Thank you for having me, Tim. It’s a pleasure to be here.

Tim: Let’s dive right in. Elena, to what extent do European educational systems favor monolingual approaches and standardized assessments?

Prof. Elena: That’s an excellent question, Tim. While there’s been progress in recent years, many European educational systems still lean heavily towards monolingual approaches and standardized assessments. This is particularly true in countries with a dominant national language.

Tim: Can you give us some examples?

Prof. Elena: Certainly. In countries like France, Germany, and even the UK, we often see a strong emphasis on the national language in schools. Standardized tests are usually conducted in this dominant language, which can put multilingual students at a disadvantage.

Tim: I see. How does this approach impact students from diverse linguistic backgrounds?

Prof. Elena: It can be quite challenging for them. These students may have rich linguistic resources, but they’re often not allowed to use them in the classroom. This can lead to underperformance in assessments and a sense of disconnection from their education.

Tim: That brings us to our next question. To what extent can a focus like that limit the adoption of translanguaging practices?

Prof. Elena: Significantly, I’m afraid. Translanguaging, which involves using all of a student’s linguistic resources to communicate and learn, is often at odds with monolingual, standardized approaches.

Tim: Could you elaborate on that?

Prof. Elena: Of course. When educational systems prioritize a single language and standardized testing, it leaves little room for flexible, multilingual practices like translanguaging. Teachers may feel pressured to stick to the dominant language to prepare students for tests, even if it means ignoring the linguistic diversity in their classrooms.

Tim: That sounds quite restrictive. Are there any European countries moving away from this approach?

Prof. Elena: Yes, there are some positive developments. Countries like Luxembourg and some regions in Spain are increasingly recognizing the value of multilingualism and are incorporating more flexible language practices in their schools.

Tim: That’s encouraging to hear. What do you think needs to happen for more widespread adoption of translanguaging practices?

Prof. Elena: It requires a shift in mindset at multiple levels – policy makers, school administrators, teachers, and even parents. We need to move away from seeing languages as separate entities and embrace a more holistic view of multilingualism. This includes rethinking our assessment practices to better reflect the linguistic realities of our diverse student populations.

Tim: Thank you, Elena, for these insights. It’s clear that while challenges remain, there’s also potential for positive change in how European educational systems approach linguistic diversity.

Prof. Elena: Absolutely, Tim. It’s an ongoing process, but one that’s crucial for creating more inclusive and effective learning environments for all students.

Tim: And that brings us to the end of today’s episode. Thank you for tuning in.