
Luxembourg
Bilingualism Matters Luxembourg opened in March 2021. The branch is hosted by the Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences at the University of Luxembourg. Dr Claudine Kirsch, Associate Professor in Languages, is joined by a team of active researchers on multilingualism from social, educational and psychological perspectives. The branch aims to provide scientific knowledge, information and advice to teachers, educators, university lecturers, parents, health and other professionals, managers in multilingual organizations, researchers, as well as policy-makers.

20 Oct 2023
Our annual interdisciplinary research conference is on again this year, with a two-day programme packed with the latest bilingualism research. The conference is held at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA and online. Call for Proposals OPEN NOW

24 May 2023
The annual BM KE Forum is an opportunity for all to meet and learn about the work led by Bilingualism Matters members across the world of research, practice and media.
Projects
Events
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6 Jun, 2023

6 Jun, 2023
Multilingualism and Multiliteracies at home and in educational settings

5 Jun, 2023

2 Jun, 2023

16 May, 2023
Reading regularly to children supports their language development, awakens their desire to read, and promotes their imagination.

14 Oct, 2022
Die beiden Forscherinnen stellen gemeinsame Literacy Aktivitäten von Eltern und ErzieherInnen sowie ein individuelles Beratungskonzept aus der Praxis für die Praxis vor.

28 Sep, 2022
A Lusofonia abrange diversos grupos e indivíduos, se partilham a língua portuguesa não partilham as mesmas posições históricas. No Luxemburgo, os “lusófonos” constituem o maior grupo de migrantes, mais de 15,6 % da população (Statec 2020). Esta discussão visa refletir sobre como a língua e a história podem impactar a interação dos indivíduos dos países de língua oficial portuguesa no Luxemburgo. Os participantes são convidados a reflectir e partilhar sobre as suas vivências individuais e colectivas.

08-Juli-2022
In einem kurzen Vortrag werden Prof. Dr. Claudine Kirsch und Prof. Dr. Elke Montanari Ihnen zeigen, wie Sie mit ein- bis dreijährigen Kindern Bücher lesen können. Wir werden die Wichtigkeit des Lesens für die Sprachentwicklung erklären und auf diese Weise einige Mythen zerlegen. Anschließend werden wir Ihre Fragen beantworten. Für Getränke und Snacks ist gesorgt.

26-April-2022
Do you have questions about using Persian and other languages at home in Luxembourg? Join us at this event!

5 Apr, 2022
Assoc.-Prof. Pascale Engel de Abreu will present two intervention studies with linguistically diverse children in Luxembourg at the Slovenian national project Jeziki štejejo - Languages Matter, a project whose main goal is to determine which factors support and which hinder the creation of a supportive learning environment

30 Mar, 2022
Nessa conversa online, as palestrantes vão falar sobre a importância da língua materna, além de compartilhar materiais elaborados em Português e dicas de como criar um ambiente rico em linguagem que favorecerá o desenvolvimento da linguagem das crianças.

23-Nov-2021 19:00-20:00
Beaucoup d’entre nous sont multilingues et se demandent comment soutenir au mieux leurs enfants dans leur parcours plurilingue. Cette séance d’information démystifie certains des mythes sur le multilinguisme et présente des principes, méthodes et stratégies pour promouvoir le multilinguisme.

18.11.2021 at 10.30 am
Guest talk by Dr. Michał Paradowski , University of Warsaw, basing on survey data from nearly 9,000 respondents from 118 countries.

30-Nov-2021 19:00-20:00
Vill vun eis si méisproocheg a froen sech, wéi si hir Kanner am beschte beim Sproocheléieren ënnerstëtze kënnen. Dësen Informatiounsowend analyséiert e puer vun de Mythen ronderëm Méisproochegkeet a presentéiert Prinzippien, Methoden a Strategië fir Méisproochegkeet ze fërderen.

20-10-2021
Join us for an evening of information and interaction as we meet in person* for a presentation on the benefits of bilingualism in children and adults!

25-October-2021
Can Luxembourg be a model for the Brussels region? Sven Gatz (Minister of Multilingualism in Belgium), Philippe Van Parijs (President of the Brussels Chair of Multilingualism), Thomas Lambert (Ambassador of Belgium in Luxembourg) and their team visit the University of Luxembourg to find out how multilingualism is promoted in education.

Tuesday, 29 June from 12:00 to 13:00
Prof. Claudine Kirsch, Associate Professor in languages at the University of Luxembourg will talk about myths on multilingualism, her research studies in formal and non-formal education, and the Bilingualism Matters branch in Luxembourg.

05-March-2021
The Minister of national Education, Early Childhood and Youth of Luxembourg

05-March-2021
9 experts on multilingualism congratulate to the launch of BM Luxembourg branch
News
View allAll 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.
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.
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.
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?
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.