Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1292560
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 SEPTEMBER 2020 8 OPINION ON 26 September, the Council of Europe celebrates the Euro- pean Day of Languages across Europe. e aim is to promote the rich linguistic diversity of Europe and to raise awareness about the importance of lan- guages, hence lifelong language learning for everyone. is year marks the 19th edition of such an event, the first having been celebrated in 2001. Given the current global health situation, the celebrations, both locally and abroad, will see no invited speakers, no press involved and no planned activities for the whole school populations. Not- withstanding the health crises however, even this year a num- ber of events will mark this date with various activities – mostly online or involving social dis- tancing – to promote languages within schools and to make stu- dents recognise and appreciate Europe's cultural diversity. During the current year, the coronavirus pandemic has un- fortunately left many, irrespec- tive of age, gender or religion, stuck at home, with schools and most educational institu- tions across the globe forced to close their doors. As a result of decisions made by world health authorities, educational insti- tutions around the world were obliged to temporarily close in an attempt to contain the spread of the virus, impacting hundreds of millions of learners. As stat- ed by UNESCO, school closures not only carried high social and economic costs which affect- ed to a large degree the most vulnerable and marginalized students and their families but also enhanced or brought about other challenges. ese include interrupted learning, stress for teachers, poor nutrition, tech- nical and human difficulties in creating, maintaining, and im- proving distance learning, rise in drop-out rates, social isolation and disruptions to assessment. e COVID-19 crisis and the unparalleled educational disrup- tion are, unfortunately, far from over. Now that countries have started planning the reopening of schools, with all major stake- holders facing this unprecedent- ed struggle of when and how best to approach the next phase, two very pertinent questions re- lated to languages and language learning in time of pandemic come to mind. Is it worth invest- ing in language learning? Should students and adult learners be encouraged to further their proficiency in languages during such difficult and challenging times? Apart from the fact that scien- tific research shows how speak- ing other languages besides one's own mother tongue can delay the onset of dementia and stave off cognitive decline, lan- guage teaching and learning is essential to ensure that Europe- an citizens can move, work, and learn freely throughout Europe. Language is crucial, as it not only functions as a communica- tion device, but also inherently contains irreplaceable cultural heritage, knowledge and tradi- tions that do not fade with age and will be just as valuable a dec- ade from now. When all pandemic related re- strictions imposed globally are lifted, speakers of a second and a third language stand to gain. Language diversity gives them the cutting edge. Language di- versity boosts employment, in- dustrial relations and a healthy economic growth. Language di- versity contributes to a mutual understanding among countries and cultures. It is essential in ensuring that language deficien- cies do not serve as a barrier to participation in society. is is precisely why universities, to- gether with the British Academy, the British Council and the As- sociation of School and College Leadersm formed a coalition of partners who believe that for- eign language learning is vital to pandemic recovery. In fact, they have put forward a strategy to boost foreign language learn- ing to the British Government: "Languages are vital for foster- ing effective international coop- eration and commercial links, as well as for improving educa- tional performance, cognitive function and skills, opportunity, intercultural understanding, and social cohesion". Times and situations have changed due to the pandemic, and this has given rise to alter- native methods of teaching and learning. e need to occupy oneself effectively at home dur- ing lockdown and school clo- sures, and the desire, of many, to immerse themselves in a new language and culture, have given rise to a myriad of online and remote language learning opportunities. Apps, podcasts, online tutoring platforms, 1-on- 1 online lessons, digital books, MOOCs, amongst others, now dominate independent language learning, offering flexibility and self-directed learning. at being said, the primary concern with learning a foreign language exclusively online is the lack of interpersonal com- munication. Speaking a lan- guage is a social endeavour. e lack of personal interaction in both offline or virtual learning creates obstacles throughout the learning process. e best way to effectively learn any language is to practice it first-hand with a teacher/tutor, other language learners and native speakers. Language learning is as impor- tant as ever in this time of so- cial distancing. It is a powerful means to dismantle social barri- ers within our communities and to eliminate economic dispar- ities. Language learning unites people irrespective of culture, denomination, race and colour. At this day and age, in particu- lar both during and post-COV- ID-19, students and adult learn- ers should be not only offered opportunities, but more im- portantly, encouraged to learn additional languages. is will naturally broaden our horizons, enrich our values, and empower us to abandon the fears of the unknown. Multilingualism is key for na- tional and international collab- oration as we emerge from an environment of quarantine and isolation. After the pandemic, those with a second language stand to gain Mario Pace Dr Mario Pace is a senior lecturer, Department of Languages & Humanities in Education, University of Malta