The UNIC website uses cookies to improve your experience. Read our full Cookie Policy here.
19/02/2024 13:30 - 21/02/2024 14:30
The UNIC Lightning Bites series features short talks from diverse perspectives that address societal challenges faced by our cities in transition. They provide a platform to cross-fertilize thinking and action, and their insights are made available through recordings on UNIC’s Open Case Repository.
During the week of International Mother Language Day (celebrated every year on the 21st February), UNIC will run a series of online lightening talks on the theme of mother languages. Connecting across the 10 Universities campuses, the short talks invite students, staff, city stakeholders and citizens to discuss how languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion and the Sustainable Development Goals’ focus on leaving no one behind. For more info regarding the theme please check: https://www.un.org/en/observances/mother-language-day.
Each lightning lab session will involve a 15-minute talk and 15-minute Q&A moderated by the host. Speakers should note that the audience is broad and recorded versions may be viewed by a general public audience. The talk should therefore be ‘plain English’ and relatable to non-experts.
Speakers and Schedule:
February 19, 13:30-14:00 CET
Yasmine BADIR and Audrey Thonard
University of Liège
Language in the Digital Age : from Teacher-Paced Learning to Classroom Collaboration
Learning languages with the aid of digital tools has long been a solitary, silent and remote experience. In 2024, foreign language teachers, seasoned by months of health crisis, have a radically new understanding of the creative and collaborative potential of digital technology in face-to-face learning. In this talk, we will share some innovative teaching practices, designed to turn the classroom into a space that is even more dynamic and interactive.
February 19, 14:00-14:30 CET
Liisa Väisänen
University of Oulu
Language awareness and multilingualism in a university community. Her talk will shed some light on how to get everyone involved. She will share some practical case examples of how international members of the community have been helped to learn the local language.
February 20, 13:30-14:00 CET
Lena Heine
Ruhr University Bochum
Is Multilingualism a Problem or an Advantage?
Being proficient in more than one language is frequently thought to be a cognitive and intercultural benefit, and actively promoted by foreign language teaching. This stands in stark contrast to how migration-related multilingualism is perceived, which is often thought to be an obstacle for academic success and as a threat to societal integration. In this brief talk, a summary of research results will be given which will show the need to clarify what we actually mean by „language“ and „language competence“, but also that an interdisciplinary approach is necessary to understand multilingualism in society.
February 20, 14:00-14:30 CET
Eider Inunciaga
Bilbao Council
Euskera, a minority language in a globalized world
February 21, 13:30-14:00 CET
Two students from Rotterdam based Turkish student association Mozaik (Fatih Acer + one other student)
Erasmus University Rotterdam
The role of mother language in shaping identity, resilience and opportunity
Two students from the Turkish Student Association ''Mozaik'' in Rotterdam wil give a session about the role of Turkish as a mother language in their lives and the importance of it. Also they will give examples of various activities and events Mozaik organises for (Turkish) students that directly or indirectly are linked to the Turkish language.
February 21, 14:00-14:30 CET
Figen Ecer
Koc University
Multilingualism as a Catalyst for Cultural Understanding
In this panel, we will explore the impact of cultural intelligence on navigating diverse contexts in the workplace. The panel will shed light on how multilingualism fosters cultural appreciation, breaks down barriers, and promotes global unity. We will also delve into the benefits of multilingual education, addressing challenges and solutions in implementing effective programs
Lightning Bites: Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism
How can sustainable tourism contribute to positive change?
28 Oct 2024 - 30 Oct 2024
Read more »[D&I Training] Diversity Sensitivity in the Workplace and Unconscious ...
Trainings for Diversity and Inclusion officers at UNIC universities
21 Oct 2024 - 21 Oct 2024
Read more »UNIC Working Conference – Crossing the Silos and Engaging with Cities
UNIC the European University of Cities in Post-Industrial Transition proudly joins forces in o...
24 Sep 2024 - 26 Sep 2024
Read more »