Welcome address of a one day seminar, held at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, 27 May 2016

1. NEW PLURILINGUAL PATHWAYS
FOR INTEGRATION:
IMMIGRANTS AND LANGUAGE
LEARNING IN THE 21ST
CENTURY
HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY, EDINBURGH, 27TH MAY 2016

2. WELCOME / FÀILTE / CROESO

3. ABOUT US
• Nicola: PhD on Cape Verdean immigrant pupils learning Galician
Languages & Intercultural Studies, Heriot-Watt University
• Gwennan: PhD on teaching Welsh to adult immigrants; paving a pathway to
an inclusive Welsh citizenship.
School of Welsh, Cardiff University
• Interest in migration in minority language contexts where migrants have two
host community languages; opportunities and challenges of being ‘double
new speakers’

4. MULTILINGUALISM IN THE UK
• Although Britain is very obviously multilingual, its representation as a
monolingual state, or one that at best tolerates a degree of regional
bilingualism in Wales and Scotland, allies with the powerful ideology
of
‘one nation one language’
(Simpson et al. 2015, p. 202)

5. SEMINAR THEMES
• What are the opportunities and challenges for new immigrants who
learn new languages?
• To what extent do new immigrant speakers challenge current
conceptions of integration, cohesion and citizenship?
• Which steps or initiatives could facilitate a more comprehensive view
of integration, cohesion and citizenship in national and minority
language contexts?

6. AIMS OF TODAY’S SEMINAR
• A platform to share research and knowledge in migration and
language learning within and without the UK
• Discuss, challenge and inspire new ideas and concepts concerning
linguistic integration
• Foster collaborations between participants as well as forge ways
towards cross-sector partnerships in the future

7. USEFUL INFORMATION
• Hashtag: #baalcupcost2016
• Twitter tags:
• @__BAAL
• @COSTNewSpeakers
• @hr_irc

8. INTRODUCTIONS
• Professor Alison Phipps, University of Glasgow
• Professor Máiréad Nic Craith, Heriot-Watt University
• Dr Kathryn Jones, IAITH, Centre for Welsh Language Planning and Policy
• Dr Cassie-Smith Christmas, University of Highlands and Islands
• Claire Speedie, Senior Immigration Advisor, Scottish Government
• Mandy Watts, ESOL Development Officer, Scottish Government
• COST New Speakers Chair: Professor Bernadette O’Rourke, Heriot-Watt
University
• BAAL Representative: Professor Nicola Copland, Stirling University

9. THANK YOU / MÒRAN TAING/ DIOLCH YN
FAWR