Special Interest Group
Supporting the development of languages and literacies in a multilingual world
This SIG aims to bring together researchers and practitioners working in a range of areas related to the development of languages and literacies. We take a broad view of both terms which encompasses various dimensions of languages education (e.g. first language(s), additional language(s), modern language(s) etc.) and literacies education (e.g. print, visual, digital, cultural etc.). We aim to explore key issues around supporting the development of languages and literacies among learners at all levels. By bringing together researchers from these various perspectives we aim to contribute to key discussions in research, practice and policy.
Professor in TESOL and Education at Ulster University
Barbara Skinner is a Professor in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)and Education in the School of Education at Ulster University. Barbara lectures on a range of teacher education courses. She is involved with doctoral...
Associate Professor in Education at Faculty of Education
Karen Forbes is an associate professor in second language education at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge. Before completing her PhD in 2016, Karen taught modern languages in secondary schools in England and has also worked as an...
In December 2024, BBC News online ran a story with the headline ‘Universities enrolling foreign students with poor English’. The article’s authors claim that universities are lowering...
Continue reading blog postOver the past few years, I have carried out extensive fieldwork in secondary schools in England, where my focus has been the beliefs about spoken language on display in classrooms, corridors and...
Continue reading blog postCross-linguistic pedagogy, which involves using multiple languages in classrooms to foster literacy development by providing a ‘bridge between languages,’ has recently gained significant...
Continue reading blog postCompulsory languages teaching for primary teachers in Scotland Following the introduction of the Scottish Government’s 1+2 language policy in 2012, all primary teachers in Scotland are expected...
Continue reading blog postThis series celebrates one decade of the BERA Blog, as an important and growing space to explore current and varied issues and questions of concern to the education community. To mark this...
As part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, BERA has collected together a set of 50 landmark studies that have had a significant impact on educational policy, educational practice, research...
A significant portion of extant literature emphasises that advanced English proficiency is crucial for migrants’ integration into British society, enhancing neighbourhood belonging, life...
Continue reading blog postIn this blog post I would like to raise a number of questions for the new government about English as an additional language in schools: What should the new Labour government do to reinstate...
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