Permission to Speak: Amplifying Marginalised Voices Through Languages

As part of our work to shine a light on the complete and often complicated history behind the growth of languages, we've partnered with leading language educators and leaders through the Association for Language Learning Decolonise Secondary MFL Special Interest Group to address 'diversifying the MFL curriculum' and to create a new series that aims to illuminate the hidden stories of marginalised people and cultures. 

We've created a resource for each area of focus that includes background information into the topic, key discussion questions, and an activity for students to complete.

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Comics

Comics are a great way to learn languages. When you read a comic in the language you are learning, you will probably be able to visualise concepts, stories and dialogues better than in a book. It is a more straightforward way to access the literature of the language you are learning; you can even read graphic novel adaptations of classic literature. You will find it easier to understand what is going on in the story, even if you don’t understand all the vocabulary, because you will have the images to support you. And you will learn new words without even realising it!

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Comics

European Day of Languages

For this year's European Day of Languages, we have created a couple of resources that will help your learners celebrate the rich diversity of languages and cultures that exist across Europe today. It has never been more important than now to cherish the importance of language learning and the great community that you become a part of.

Pick and Mix Powerpoint

European Day of Languages resource

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Sport and global sustainable development

Sport is recognised by the United Nations as an ‘important enabler of sustainable development’ and as an ‘instrument for peace’. In this resource, we will explore how sport can be used to promote resistance, individual and social transformation and a more just society.

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The language that textiles speak

Throughout history, humans have woven stories into their fabrics. In this resource we will explore how textiles can tell stories about individuals, groups, cultures and events in time.

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Creole

Like many other minority or non-official languages, and compounded by the marginalisation experienced by Creole-speaking populations, many Creole languages have now become extinct. However, in recent decades there has been a revival of interest in Creole languages, which has led to them being studied more and officially acknowledged in some countries. In this resource we will explore some Creole languages that are related to French, German and Spanish.

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Endangered Languages - Ladino

Unfortunately, hundreds of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages will become extinct over the next decades and the reasons for that include genocide, education policy and persecution as well as other economic or cultural reasons. Languages that are at risk of disappearing are sometimes referred to as ‘endangered languages’. This resource focuses on one such language: Ladino. 

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Women in art

Women are the subject of countless iconic paintings in art history. Depicted from every angle, they have been muses and sources of inspiration, often relegated to the shadow of male artists. While male painters forever gained fame and praise, women were remembered for no more than a silhouette or a smile on a canvas, often forgotten for who they were. This resource explores some of the most influential female artists across the French-, German- and Spanish-speaking worlds.

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Environmental Justice

Discussions around climate change and conflict may understandably provoke feelings of fear, concern, upset and anxiety in you when you are thinking about their impacts now and in the future. But have you considered how learning languages can empower you to contribute to a more sustainable and socially-just future for our planet? This resource explores some key aspects of environmental justice and the important role that you play in the campaign for climate justice as a language learner.

Download the resource (PDF| 6.3 MB)

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Historical Figures

Students often encounter the same set of historical figures in their history books, year on year. For this month, we are taking a slightly different angle and shedding a light on a selection of lesser-known, key historical figures from the French-, German- and Spanish-speaking worlds. 

French resource German resource Spanish resource

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The Influence of Islam on Language and Culture

As the world's second-largest religion with over two billion followers, Islam has greatly influenced a variety of cultures and societies as well as contributed to the development of countless fields including science, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and so much more. In celebration of Ramadan, we took a closer look at the influence of Islam on the French, German, and Spanish culture and language. 

French resource German resource Spanish resource

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Talking about Race

As linguists, we should use our knowledge of language and culture to explore the notion of race and how it has shaped each of us and our experiences of the world. In this resource, we highlight how we can move towards the goal of shaping a shared language of love and mutual respect, by being able to discuss race in ways that are appropriate, inclusive, and sensitive to others. 

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LGBT+ History Month

This month, we are taking a look at how LGBT+ History is celebrated across the French-, German-, and Spanish-speaking worlds. We also look at how LGBT+ activism and awareness is changing the way we use language itself, and how this translates into French, German and Spanish.

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Culture beyond Europe

This month we are excited to explore the people and traditions behind the world-famous Día de Muertos celebrations. What are the origins of this festival? And what else can we learn about the indigenous peoples of Mexico?

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Black History Month

At Pearson, we believe that Black History should not be confined to a single month, but a crucial and ongoing part of everything that we do. We've taken a multi-perspective look at the ways in which Black History Month is celebrated or viewed in the French, German, and Spanish-speaking worlds. 

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Black History Month 2021