Premised on the idea that all learners are multilingual, whether they identify as such or not, a case is made for using the classroom as a site where learners are (explicitly) offered the agency to develop their multilingual identity. 

In this Language Learning and Teaching Research seminar, Prof Linda Fisher will present a model that provides a structure within which individual learners might explore the extent of their linguistic repertoire, their identity and identifications, and offered the agency to (re)negotiate these in terms of multilingual identity. Some preliminary findings as to whether pedagogical intervention can support the process of development of multilingual identities and so influence progression will be presented, alongside an identity-focused teaching programme, “We are multilingual” (WAM).

About the speaker

Prof Linda Fisher is Professor of Languages Education at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge.

Her current research interests are in multilingualism, multilingual identity, creativity in language learning, metaphor in relation to belief schemata, second language teacher education, motivation, and the academic and social integration of English as an Additional Language learners. She is involved in extensive work with secondary age language learners and their teachers. She is Co-Investigator and Education Strand Lead on the MEITS project (Multilingualism Empowering Individuals Transforming Societies), part of the Open World Research Initiative funded by an AHRC large-grant. This strand investigates participative identity construction in the language learning classroom. She is also Co-Investigator on a second OWRI AHRC large-grant project Creative Multilingualism, investigating creativity in the languages classroom.