Celebrating Multiculturalism: Why speaking more than one language is good for your health

Join in the discussion with our expert panel for a lively conversation about what multilingualism means to you.

Speaking more than one language promotes multiple identities, but not everyone sees multilingualism this way, and language policy decisions sometimes impact negatively on multilingual speakers’ life chances. All of this raises critical questions for researchers, policymakers, practitioners and individual multilingual speakers about the role of language learning in fostering a multilingual world.

In December 2017, the Salzburg Global Seminar Series hosted representatives from the spheres of policy, academia, civil society and business, representing over 25 countries, to look at the importance of language policy and practice from three perspectives – the individual, the state, and market and society – and examine how language learning can help integration, international relations and employment opportunities. The outcome of these discussions, the Salzburg Statement on Multilingualism and Integration will be launched around the world on International Mother Language Day, 21 February 2018.

As a follow up to this publication, the University of Reading will be hosting a small panel of multilingualism practitioners inviting an audience to join in the conversation. We are keen to know how the Salzburg Statement is relevant to you in your multilingual lives.

Admission is free and open to all. We hope the event will be of particular interest to bilingual families, teachers, interpreters, counsellors, and professionals who work with bilingual families.