Luxembourg

Have you ever caught yourself ascribing a nationality to someone based on the way his/her language sounds? You are clearly not alone. We all have different notions of what a language ideally sounds like. How do these notions come about? Is it possible to minimize or eliminate them?

Discover how (non-) negotiation of language choices shapes workplace dynamics in a multilingual EU institution. Our latest report is a read for those who personally experience the resulting tension and disappointment in communication, as well as for managers who care for linguistic well-being (>> talent retention) in their international teams.

If you decided to read on, you probably wonder: “Okay, how does this question make any sense?!”. And no worries, you are not wrong, if you said to yourself that “this cannot be right”, right?

A recent master’s project, conducted at the University of Luxembourg, delved into the dynamics of integration within the country’s financial center, exploring its multicultural international bubble. It examined the reasons for relocation, integration experiences, and identity construction. Specifically, the study focused on language choices and their role in shaping narratives of integration within Luxembourg's financial landscape.

Do you know what social scripts are? Did you know they can differ from culture to culture? How do you think they are portrayed in a multilingual setting?

All EU languages are equally important. Languages should be learned early! These declarations come from the European Parliament which has ratified a multilingual language policy (European Parliament, 2013), and the Council of Europe which aims to support multilingualism. This endeavour is also reflected in the educational policies of the European states, though to a different extent.

Multilingualism - the ability to speak, understand, and function in more than one language - is an increasingly common phenomenon in our modern, globalized world. However, there are still many myths surrounding multilingualism, which often lead to misunderstandings and misconceptions. In this article, we present three common myths about multilingualism that frighten and confuse some parents and educators.

An inspiring PhD thesis research that examined the diverse support given by teachers and parents to three young Brazilian children at preschool and at home.
New Luxembourg study paints the multilingual scenery encountered by young migrants, showing the very beginning of their multilingual lives and possible elements influencing their multilingualism.

Mother tongue is the language caregivers talk, sing, and teach it to their new-born. We go to school; we learn to read and write, and we refine our mother tongue through hours of study. It is part of our identity and our belonging to the community.
How about living in a country where you have three official languages?

A kick-off for a reshuffling of the language hierarchy has been launched: French and German, who used to dominate the Luxembourgish administrative and educational world are facing the English language, a strong competitor brought on by globalisation and the rise of the internet.

Luxembourg’s linguistic situation is an example of successful multilingualism, Luxembourgish, French and German are the official languages of the country. Other tongues also find their home here, e.g. English in the financial sector and Portuguese, the idiom spoken by the largest foreign community in the nation.
However, it is important to note the relationship between power and languages, its resulting hierarchy, consistently reinforced or contested by residents.

Good communication is central to strong relationships, but what happens when you and your partner speak different languages and come from different cultures? It should come as no surprise that intercultural and multilingual couples have higher divorce rates than couples from the same culture and language. This article will help you think through some of those common cultural and linguistic communication problems.

Only native-speaking teachers can properly teach a language at school.
Have you ever heard of this statement, or do you perhaps believe in it yourself?
Let’s have a closer look at the related research.

“Kids these days are so lazy, right?” Heard this before? Well, you’d be surprised to hear how many generations we’ve been parroting this same line.

Monolingual expats often struggle to learn the language of their host country, particularly if it’s not required in day-to-day interactions. This article will explain why you should make the effort to learn the local language, as well as how it will improve your life abroad.

This case study of six Turkish families in Luxembourg explores the various ways in which parents support their children when learning multiple languages.

Ce ne sont que les locuteurs natifs qui savent correctement enseigner une langue à l’école. Est-ce que cette affirmation vous est familière ou, peut-être, en êtes-vous-même convaincus ? Regardons de plus près ce que la recherche nous dit à propos de ce sujet.

What do young graduates from all over Europe learn about communication during their EU traineeship? That mutual understanding across (linguistic and geopolitical) borders is as hot an issue as ever. However, this does not come without effort...

Have you ever wondered what role can parents and educators play in supporting multilingual learning? In this project, you can find inspiration on the videos created with educators and parents in Luxembourg.

BM Luxembourg launches TRANSLA - a new program for multilingual children - with resources for teachers and parents in English, French and German

Young children only learn written language at school, right? Not really. Children’s first print experience at home matters...

Do you apologise for your poor foreign language skills in multilingual encounters? Find out about the hidden social effects of this common monolingual practice.

Speaking English is often seen as an advantage, but a study from Luxembourg shows the 'native English' position can have drawbacks in the multilingual workplace.

Bilingualism Matters Luxembourg opened on 5th March 2021. Find out about the members, who all research multilingualism from social, educational and psychological perspectives.