In the last decade, changes in society, such as global and local mobility and an intensification of communication and social relationships, had a significant impact on the way we conceptualize Language Education. An ever-growing research on Applied Linguistics and SLA turned its attention to the personal, cultural, and educational implications that language(s) may have on learners’ motivation, investment, and sense of identity. De facto, in the majority of the current world, multilingualism is the societal norm. Such research alerts language educators to the unique opportunities and challenges they face with respect to the multilingual and multicultural nature of the contemporary society, educational settings, and classrooms. This presentation will explore the organizing principles of what is being defined as the “Multilingual Turn” in language teaching/learning. It will also examine pedagogical models that can respond to such challenges and implement a change in language classrooms.

Speaker: Barbara Spinelli (Columbia University)

Sponsor(s): Department of French and Italian, and the Princeton Center of Language Study

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