International Cooperation and Professional Dialogue
Eight European partner institutions participated in the program entitled Erasmus+ Uninet BIP: Minority and Minoritized Languages in Multilingual Schools and Societies. Throughout the week, participants expanded their knowledge through numerous professional lectures and workshops: we learned about the Catalan educational system and gained insight into the sociolinguistic situations of the participating countries. Under the guidance of experts from Bergamo, Germany, and Friesland, participants learned about developing materials for second-language teaching, the linguistic heritage of colonial pasts, and the pedagogical application of creative poetry.
Theory and Practice: School Visits
The program's uniqueness stemmed from the acquisition of practical experience. During the second half of the week, students visited three educational institutions in Barcelona and the surrounding area: Escola Lurdes, Escola Piaget, and Institut Margarida Xirgu. Here, they observed firsthand how multilingualism and the protection of minority languages are implemented in daily school practice. The program highlighted that the status of minority languages faces similar challenges across Europe, and conscious language policy action within educational contexts is key to preserving linguistic diversity.
The event was hosted by the Ramon Llull University, Blanquerna School of Psychology, Education and Sport Science in Barcelona. The program is closely linked to the objectives of the Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity (NPLD) and the Uninet network, promoting knowledge exchange regarding national minorities, language rights, and identity preservation. Dr. Levente Székedi presented the activities and achievements of the Uninet network to the participants.
