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Children in a classroom

Understanding Multilingual Children’s Language Development is a free online course hosted on the social learning platform FutureLearn. 

The course has been developed with teachers and Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) in mind. It is ideal for those who are keen to learn and work collaboratively to transform working practices so multilingual children can reach their full potential.

This course was developed by a multidisciplinary group of researchers at the Centre for Literacy and Multilingualism including Professor Holly Joseph and Professor Naomi Flynn from the Institute of Education, in partnership with Professor Ludovica Serratrice, Dr Emma Pagnamenta and Laure Mallevays from the University’s School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences (PCLS).

The course explores how language development metrics, such as vocabulary and grammar, develop in multilingual children from birth to the end of primary school. 

Drawing on case studies of real teachers and SLTs, participants will get to hear how professionals have engaged with multilingual children in their fields. 

The course also features interviews with bilingual and multilingual children on what it’s like to speak multiple languages in both the home and school setting.

Course participants will explore topics such as: 

  • what multilingualism is
  • the range of multilingual experience and the resulting effects on language and communication development
  • how  multilingualism is relevant to identity 
  • what multilingualism looks like in a classroom setting and how teachers and SLTs can best support children who speak English as an additional language.

The course provides plenty of opportunities for participants to engage with other teachers and SLTs in the course discussions. Participants can discuss what the learning means in their own setting and share experiences and advice in overcoming challenges.

Joining the course for a facilitated run means that you will benefit from the expert guidance, as well as opportunities to ask questions as you progress through the course.

Enrol on the course now