Exploring the Benefits and Challenges of Multilingualism in Today's Society

Abstract

The intention of this study is to evaluate the sociopolitical impact of learning and using foreign language in a multicultural environment such that Italy, rather than northern European countries, through an experience of eTwinning, between Liceo Artistico L.F. Signorini of Faenza and the Brevet des Collèges classes of Collège du Patriarcat Grec Melkite Catholique of Antélias in Lebanon. Methodology. This qualitative research examines policy documents and focuses on the description of a practical project. Main results. The case analyzed demonstrate that the countries with a longer tradition of multilingualism (including multiculture and multi-faith) are less motivated than others, to remove the linguistic barriers and implement the real multilingualism as wished by the 2002 UNESCO Road Map objective. The importance of this study. The investigation may shed light on how current difficulties can be overcome and give ideas for the future, through the analyses of the past. The two original and actual case-studies, may have the merit that they come from a fresh (Italian) and rarely explored perspective, reversing the current attitude: in order to accomplish, shares on can be made partners, the effective one must be seen more as a passive learner than active doer (Rizk, 2013). Keywords. Multicultural-social-cultural; UNESCO; England; Foreign language; Practice; Learning; Work. Abstract. Purpose. Student exchanges are seen as a way to develop and / or review the language they learn at school; using it in authentic communication context of the peers turns into a koinè or link language. Methodology. At the end of a project of eTwinning, surveys were conducted to highlight the subtleties that all the concerned parties might have missed. In order to contrast the two situations, the tools used, although still of a qualitative nature, are different for having greater evidentiary power. To An overview of the historical critical events of the linguistic and sociopolitical situation in comparison, they are providing tools for cross-border work: guidelines, rules, translations into other languages. What has emerged. Native English children. The conflict leads to terrorising others, representing Satan with the Islamic veil, others advocate peace, restore faith in human goodness and cultivating tolerance. Intersting the reader. The unexpected results and the critical overview provided by the discussion. Many of the evidences presented by the eTwinning experience are useful for developing a conscious comparison.