MULTILINGUALISM AS A CAPITAL AND STUDENT MULTILINGUAL IDENTITIES: A CASE STUDY
Keywords:
linguistic biographies, linguistic identity, linguistic capital, multilingualism, higher educationAbstract
In the face of increasing globalization and migration, multilingualism has emerged as a common but under-researched phenomenon in the academic context. This study examines the impact of multilingualism on university learning experiences, exploring its impact on academic performance, social interaction, personal development and future prospects. Using a mixed-methods approach, consisting of questionnaires and language biographies, the study involved five multilingual learners in a variety of learning environments including teacher-, media-, interaction-, personality-, and future-focused situations. All participants considered their multilingual skills very valuable in the context of the globalized study experience and labor market. The findings point to the need of perceiving multilingualism not only as a social norm but also as an educational advantage, suggesting that higher education institutions should strategically capitalize on linguistic diversity to improve academic and social outcomes. In conclusion, it is suggested that multilingualism significantly contributes to different learning situations in higher education and offers advantages for future professional development.
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