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School of Languages, Linguistics and Film

Public engagement: Languages in our lives with Prof Sharma

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Mile End Community Project are holding a free workshop in collaboration with Queen Mary’s Centre for Public Engagement 09:30-12:30 on Thursday 3 May titled “Languages in our Lives: The Joys and Struggles of Speaking Languages”. Professor Devyani Sharma and others will facilitate the workshop, the description of which is below in both text and poster form. The event takes place at Southern Grove Community Centre. Find out more and book your space by emailing hello@mileendcommunityproject.org or calling 07931 732 153.

Even though nearly a quarter of Londoners speak a main language other than English, it is very common in London for people to speak two languages or more.

“Why doesn’t my child speak better Bengali? Will it confuse them if I speak Polish to them at home? Will they do worse in school or have trouble fitting in?”

This workshop will explore these questions and more through a short film screening, discussion and story telling to understand the languages we have in our lives. Local community members of all generations will be encouraged to talk about the joys and struggles of being bilingual in London, whether with friends, family, at work, or in other situations.