Language learning appears to be in crisis in the UK. Yet there are plenty of language ‘super-learners’, a thriving polyglot community and multiple languages being spoken in local communities.
Open University researcher, Tita Beaven, brings A-level students, language teachers and polyglots - Richard Simcott, Lindsay Williams and Olly Richards - into two workshops with live artist, Natasha Davis, and poet, Laila Sumpton. Together they will explore why there’s disconnect between the so-called decline in languages in schools and universities, in marked contrast to the enthusiasm and dedication of polyglots. If being ‘plurilingual’ changes how you see yourself and the world, how can we inspire more people to learn more languages?
This event is part of Who Are We?, a cross-platform event designed and curated for Tate Exchange (Tate Modern) by Counterpoints Arts and The Open University, reflecting on identity, belonging, migration and citizenship. The programme is shaped by co-creation, co-production and exchange among artists, arts and culture organisations, audiences, activists and academics.