Session 586 | Springboard for Talent: Language Learning and Integration in a Globalized World
community. Multilingual policies can sustain the unique and vital resource of language diversity and drive positive change in the world – economically, socially and politically. Like many other sectors, technological innovation has the potential to revolutionize and democratize the language teaching and learning fields, paving the way to fairer access to the job market. Led by input from session partner, Microsoft, participants considered the role disruptive technology might play in shaping future decisions about language policy. Much emphasis in schools’ curriculum in recent years has been placed on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), with languages often valued less in comparison – despite the fact this goes against the latest thinking in neuroscience. Participants looked at how the research community could counter this misalignment of evidence and policy, and gain more traction with policymakers, practitioners and the public. The final part of the session focused on the writing of the Salzburg Statement for a Multilingual World, which was conceived as a way of synthesizing and bringing these complex issues to the attention of policymakers and people of influence and which can serve as an advocacy tool for people working for change in this area. The Statement was published in multiple languages on February 21, 2018, on International Mother Language Day, and has circulated widely following the session. It will form the basis of a series of webinars to be held throughout Summer and Autumn 2018.
6