A study in attitudes to languages in England and Wales:

A study in attitudes to languages in England and Wales: Who needs the languages of immigrants?Working and engagement with bilingual young people who are unable to see the value of languages other than English in a global city such as London has been the driving force of this research. As a part of a cycle of several studies in attitudes to bilingualism of different sections of society in England and Wales it contributes to a wider search for factors that create perceptions like the one chosen as the title quote. This study, which is a doctoral thesis, seeks to gain insights into attitudes that politicians, policy makers and key professionals have in regards to bilingualism, as evidenced in the collected data. As a small-scale qualitative study it focuses on the context of England and Wales. The main body of the data is collected in interviews, while a search of the Hansard Parliamentary debates records provided the additional data.The author also provides a set of recommendations for policy development, school practice and teacher training based on her findings and experience in the field. Her concept of a healthy linguistic diet captures the essence of her innovative thinking.

Autorentext

Dr Dina Mehmedbegovi currently works as Deputy Director of the London Education Research Unit based at the Institute of Education, University of London and as a lecturer. Dina has been involved with bilingual families throughout her career in a variety of roles: as a teacher in inner London, Ethnic Minority Achievement Consultant and researcher.