Reason: 83
The modern language classroom is a place where people come to learn not only the foreign language but also to learn to live and act together as a social group, to learn what is expected and what is accepted within that social reality, to learn how to interpret the daily goings on in the classroom
Reference:
Brooks , F. (1993: 238) cited in Smith, D. (2002) ‘Spiritual development in the language classroom: interpreting the National Curriculum’ in the Language Learning Journal, No. 26, pp. 36-42
Related Keywords:
Secondary sector, Social cohesion, Values
Reason: 230
Improving language learning in the European Union is a key factor in the Lisbon strategy, as an essential building block of almost all aspects involved, from economic efficiency to mobility, from the creation of more and better jobs to social inclusion and cohesion
Reference:
European Commission DGEAC Summary of the First Report on the activities of the working group on languages (July 2002-June 2003)
Related Keywords:
Economic, social and political dimension, European Union (EU), Inclusion, Mobility, Social cohesion
Reason: 232
Language learning is a key component of education for democratic citizenship; a participative process, which inter alia: equips mean and women to play an active part in public life and to shape in a responsible way their own destiny and that of their society; aims to instil a culture of human rights; prepares people to live in a multicultural society and to deal with difference knowledgeably, sensibly, tolerantly and morally; strengthens social cohesion, mutual understanding and solidarity
Reference:
Council of Europe (1999) cited in Starkey, H. (2002) 'Citizenship, human rights and intercultural education' in Swarbrick, A. (ed) Teaching Modern Foreign Languages in Secondary Schools (London: Routledge Falmer, The Open University), pp. 95-111
Related Keywords:
Citizenship, Democracy, Diversity, European Union (EU), Inclusion, Social cohesion, Understanding, Values
Reason: 277
It is hard to see how we can create a society of mutual respect if this respect is not extended to the languages our children speak
Reference:
Wicksteed, K. (2004) 'Languages and the Baccalaureate' in Languages, Mathematics and the Baccalaureate (London: The Nuffield Foundation), pp. 12-17
Related Keywords:
Social cohesion, UK, UK Community Languages, Values
Reason: 300
Perhaps those who have such a [global] language at their disposal - and especially those who have it as a mother tongue - will be more able to think and work quickly in it, and to manipulate it to their own advantage, at the expense of those who do not have it, thus maintaining in a linguistic guise the chasm between rich and poor
Reference:
Crystal, D. (1997) English as a Global Language (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)
Related Keywords:
Equality (equal opportunities), Global English, Social cohesion, Values
Reason: 302
The use of a single language by a community is no guarantee of social harmony or mutual understanding, as has been repeatedly seen in world history
Reference:
Crystal, D. (1997) English as a Global Language (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)
Related Keywords:
Multilingualism, Social cohesion, Understanding, Values
Reason: 303
The presence of more than one language in a community does not necessitate civil strife
Reference:
Crystal, D. (1997) English as a Global Language (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)
Related Keywords:
Multilingualism, Social cohesion, Values
Reason: 310
As one reflects on the war zones of the world in the last decades of the 20th century, it is striking just how many of them are in countries which are predominantly monolingual - Vietnam, Cambodia, Rwanda, Burundi... It is, in short, a total myth that the sharing of a single language brings peace
Reference:
Crystal, D. (2000) Language Death (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)
Related Keywords:
Multilingualism, Social cohesion, Values
Reason: 312
Local languages are seen to be valuable because they promote community cohesion and vitality, foster pride in a culture and give a community (and thus a workforce) self-confidence
Reference:
Crystal, D. (2000) Language Death (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)
Related Keywords:
Diversity, Less Widely Used and Lesser Taught (LWULT) Languages, Social cohesion, UK Community Languages, Values
Reason: 323
It is language that unifies everything, linking environmental practice with cultural knowledge, and transmitting everything synchronically among the members of a community, as well as diachronically between generations
Reference:
Crystal, D. (2000) Language Death (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)
Related Keywords:
Culture, Historical dimension, Knowledge, Social cohesion, Sustainability
Reason: 350
Languages support communities. Language marks out a community in a unique way and can help bind it together .. the next generation should be encouraged to view our society as richer and stronger because of its many language communities
Reference:
The Nuffield Languages Inquiry (2000) Languages: the next generation (London: The Nuffield Foundation)
Related Keywords:
Diversity, Inclusion, Social cohesion, UK, UK Community Languages
Reason: 367
In the knowledge society of the 21st century multilingualism is better. It is better for countries and states whose shared ambitions are for peace, growth and prosperity. It is better for business whose purpose is increased trade, greater competitiveness and greater employability. It is better for communities in their desire for social inclusion, mutual tolerance and an appreciation of their past and present heritages. It is better for individuals - for their sense of self and their openness to the world, for opportunities for economic and personal growth. At this time of great fear and dangers in the world, it is better for humanity in its vital quest for peace, stability and enrichment. Only through multilingualism can we really understand and appreciate the stranger
Reference:
King, L., Johnstone, R. (2001) An agenda for languages (produced by CILT for the Birmingham Conference of October 2001, http://www.eyl2001.org.uk/agenda.pdf)
Related Keywords:
Business, Economic, social and political dimension, Employability, Historical dimension, Identity, Inclusion, International relations, Knowledge, Multilingualism, National security, Social cohesion, Understanding, Values
Reason: 637
One of the important things about a language degree is being able to relate to people from a variety of backgrounds. We live in a multicultural society and if you can't relate to people from different backgrounds then it might be more difficult to convince them and to sell things to them
Reference:
language undergraduate
Related Keywords:
Business, HE (Higher Education sector), Networking, Social cohesion, UK, Understanding
Reason: 644
Language learning promotes cultural heterogeneity. If people can learn, understand and have an affinity with another language, cultural harmony can only be increased by that
Reference:
language undergraduate
Related Keywords:
Intercultural competence, Social cohesion, Understanding, Values
Reason: 690
Languages connect the world and increase peace
Reference:
language undergraduate
Related Keywords:
International relations, Social cohesion, Values
Reason: 717
Britain has a multicultural image and is often seen as a country that has come to terms with multiculturalism. It is a society that is heading towards multilingualism
Reference:
Higher Education Advisory Panel
Related Keywords:
Multilingualism, Social cohesion, UK
Reason: 721
The teaching and learning of community languages in a context close to home promotes community cohesion
Reference:
Higher Education Advisory Panel
Related Keywords:
Social cohesion, Teaching, UK Community Languages
Reason: 722
The intercultural understanding promoted by language teaching and learning encourages better relationships between different communities in this country
Reference:
Higher Education Advisory Panel
Related Keywords:
Intercultural competence, Networking, Social cohesion, Teaching, UK
Reason: 724
Recognition of existing languages in communities in the UK would contribute to community cohesion
Reference:
Higher Education Advisory Panel
Related Keywords:
Social cohesion, UK, UK Community Languages
Reason: 726
Languages are a social justice issue
Reference:
Phipps, A., Gonzalez, M. (2004) Modern Languages Learning and Teaching in an Intercultural Field (London: Sage Publications)
Related Keywords:
Inclusion, Social cohesion

700 Reasons to study languages...