RSA Scotland  Supports Launch of Bilingualism Matters

On 29 September 2008, RSA Scotland supported the launch of Bilingualism Matters, an advisory service for bilingual families based upon current language research.   The service, conceived by Professor Antonella Sorace FRSA, aims to bridge the gap between researchers and the community and, in particular, bilingual families, educators and policy makers in order to enable more and more children to benefit from bilingualism.  

 In Scotland, it is estimated that more than 160 different languages are spoken.  While bilingualism is the norm in many places in the world, there are many misconceptions about the effect that bilingualism has on cognitive and social development in children.  At best, it is considered ‘special’ and at worst it is considered potentially dangerous to children’s development.  

The advisory service addresses these mistaken beliefs about bilingualism and offers information for families, teachers and others working with bilingual children.  The service is being established initially in Edinburgh with funding from the University of Edinburgh and the Economic and Social Research Council, with support for the launch from RSA Scotland, and it is hoped to expand the service across Scotland. There is a website available to all with a wide range of information and advice at the Bilingualism Matters website

The new service was welcomed by Professor Sir Tim O’Shea, Principal of the University of Edinburgh and also by Robert Porrer, Deputy Chair of RSA Scotland, who commented on the immense value of the service. “The latest research shows clearly the benefit that individuals and society can gain from bilingualism and it is essential that this research should inform all those who come into contact with bilingual children as well as practice within families and education.  Languages are central to the development of Scotland in an interconnected world. In addition to the needs of Gaelic speakers, Scotland has large numbers of other languages represented and support for bilingualism will clearly benefit individuals, the economy and society in general.”  

The number of questions and comments following Professor Sorace’s presentation at the launch reinforced the need for the new service.  We hope that Professor Sorace will be able to offer another talk for RSA Scotland in a few months’ time, with an update on progress.