Recognising multilingual realities in ESOL: The NATECLA National Conference 2017 Keynote

This paper introduces a perspective on multilingual language use which orients towards the user rather than the language code. It describes the authors’ understanding of linguistic repertoire and of the fluid multilingualism known as translanguaging. Two projects relating to multilingualism and ESOL are described – the TLang project, studying interaction in cities in the UK and the DALS (Diasporic Adult Language Socialisation) project, exploring multilingualism and language repertoires amongst Sri Lankan Tamils in London. The outcomes of these research projects suggest that a translingual and intercultural approach to teaching the language(s) of the host society would ensure that languages become instruments of inclusion that unite rather than segregate people.