CFP: Re-thinking bilingualism - Challenges of multilingualism and communication in classroom settings

[Francis Hult]

"Re-thinking bilingualism - Challenges of multilingualism and
communication in classroom settings"

 

Örebro University, Sweden

14-15 May, 2009

 

The traditional discourse of bilingualism has in the last two decades been strongly challenged. Approaches to bilingualism have tended to assume a monologic understanding of language use. Such a point of departure fails to recognize the dynamic emergence of meaning through social interaction.

 

At the same time, these traditional approaches have revealed a monolingual bias in that 'monolingualism' has been regarded as the 'normal' state while bi-or multilingualism has been treated as the exception rather than the 'rule'. A monolingual perspective favours a monolithic view of language in which languages are discrete entities - one which is increasingly contested by, for example, the fl uent mixed vernaculars of bilingual speech. The term 'bilingualism' is therefore used in the context of this International Research Symposium/Workshop with a critical recognition of its limitations. The research community has started attending to issues related to the broader concept of multilingualism, the implications of communication and the sociocultural environment of language use. These challenges are particularly relevant for school classroom settings.

 

The International Research Symposium/Workshop intends to be a forum for:

 

- Presentation and discussion of research outcomes of various kinds dealing with new dimensions of what (in relation to education) has traditionally been called bilingualism.

 

- Discussion of conceptual and methodological implications for education of approaching bilingualism with a multifaceted view.

 

The outcomes of the International Research Symposium/Workshop are expected to be a more detailed analysis and discussion of multilingual issues as well as the challenges currently faced by traditional approaches to bilingualism.

 

The discussion in the symposium/research workshop is expected to help develop more informed methodologies with which to approach the complex issue of multilingualism. The forum is also expected to raise issues regarding the implications of new approaches for school practices.

 

Keynote speakers, paper presenters and discussants are challenged to go beyond traditional approaches with an analysis that could be meaningful for further research that this complex theme demands.

 

Organizers and venue

The Research Symposium/Workshop is organised by the Research group

KKOM-DS (Communication, Culture and Diversity- Deaf Studies) at

Örebro University, Sweden.

 

Organizing committee:

Chair: Associate Professor Lázaro Moreno Herrera

Committee members: Jenny Rosén, Karin Allard, Marie Nordmark, Oliver St John, Reidun Carlsson, Sara Fröden, Åsa Wedin

 

Venue: Örebro University, Forum-huset, 14-15 May, 2009

 

Programme outline

The four invited key note presentations will deal with various dimensions of multilingualism based on empirical work or theoretical analysis. A limited number of papers will be accepted. Papers, presented in parallel sessions, will be critically commentid by a discussant followed by a dialogue open to all participants.

 

Two thematic sessions will be scheduled:

Theme 1. Bilingualism re-contextualized. The role of communication and sociocultural environment.

 

Theme 2. Methodological issues in research on multilingualism. A focus on social practices.

 

A panel session will be scheduled where key note speakers will be invited to focus upon the implications of a more plural approach to multilingualism for school practices.

 

Key note speakers

* Francis Hult, Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies, University of Texas at San Antonio, USA.

 

* Clark Taylor, The College of Public and Community Service (CPCS), University of Massachusetts, USA.

 

* Gisela Håkansson, Malmö University, Sweden.

 

* Sangeeta Bagga-Gupta, Örebro University, Sweden.

 

Registration fee

1300:- SEK

Registration

 

Please submit an abstract of 120 words, including author/s details (full name, institution, mailing address and email) to: bilingualism at oru.se

 

Only a limited number of papers will be accepted. Selected papers will be considered for publication.

 

Deadline: February 28, 2009. Notification of acceptance will be given to the main author by the end of March 2009.

_______________________________________________
Edling mailing list
Edling at lists.sis.utsa.edu
https://lists.sis.utsa.edu/mailman/listinfo/edling
List Manager: Francis M. Hult