Learning Languages and Language Learning - Dr Vicky Lewis

Welcome, Bienvenido, مرحباً, Wilkommen, 欢迎, and Bienvenue

Friend of the show Vicky Lewis joined us again today for a conversation about language, learning languages and the advantages this can bring.

This episode began when we saw Vicky’s LinkedIn post on language learning a few months ago.  We wanted to have a conversation about this to learn more about Vicky’s perspective but she sensibly asked to wait until she had time to review the feedback and responses she had received.  Clearly, this was the right approach as it brought us here today!

Vicky walked us through her own experience of learning languages in school, university and further afield – she had reached a clear level of success when people thought she was French speaking German!  We talked about immersing yourself in another culture and language and how this can significantly increase our empathy towards others experiencing the same thing.  Being confused and frustrated when trying to communicate is a great leveler and makes us better educators and people.

Vicky presented some of the findings from her recent study and highlighted that common responses to the skills gained as a result of language learning included: flexibility, patience, resilience, problem solving and looking for alternative solutions, cross-cultural teamwork capability, and a willingness to fail and try again.

We talked about the need for an educational philosophy that places value and importance on language learning and the value that this can have for the individual and society more broadly.

We pondered the question as to why there is a relative absence of language provision in university internationalisation strategies and discussed the need to better connect university strategy and civic mission.

AI can personalize the language learning experience but it can’t substitute human interaction.  Language is alive and should be experienced accordingly.

 

#languagelearning #internationalhigereducation #studyabroad #eduationalphilosophy #skilldevelopment #teamwork #culturalcommunication

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/drvickylewis_knowledge-of-languages-is-the-doorway-to-activity-7097492253153071104-VuEG?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop