Multilingual approaches through Art - Online Exhibition

The project

Following on from last year's Polish through Art project, this session we have been building on its success through our new project: Multilingual Approaches through Art, thanks to funding from the Glasgow Knowledge Exchange Fund. This collaborative project once again sees SCILT working in partnership with Dr Katarzyna Przybycien, Bilingualism Matters; Dr Lavinia Hirsu and Dobrochna Futro, University of Glasgow and Jane Catlin from the University of Strathclyde. Together we have been working alongside a group of primary teachers from mainstream and complementary schools in Scotland.

Scotland is a multilingual country that welcomes many diverse languages, cultures and people. In 2022 there were 154 languages spoken in mainstream Scottish schools. Polish is the second language, after English, spoken by most pupils in Scottish schools. It is followed by Urdu, Scots, Arabic, Punjabi and Chinese. Such inclusion of local languages not only makes all our pupils feel welcomed in Scottish schools and, by extension in Scotland, but it teaches that all languages are valuable.

The MTA project explores how language learning can be approached in a way that involves art and creative practices. This pedagogical approach allows learners to explore their multilingual identities giving them an opportunity to express themselves through art-based activities that are fun, creative and engaging way. Each piece of art created by the learners reflects their own multilingual and multicultural identity. The creativity displayed by the learners is insightful and inspirational and every individual masterpiece exhibited in the online gallery is unique to them. 

We hope you enjoy browsing the online gallery and we thank all our wonderful artists for supplying such a super selection of artwork.

As part of the Multilingualism through Art project, we created a resource pack for teachers which contains a series of 10 activities that explores multilingualism and creative practices. For each activity, there are easy to follow instructions and a list of required resources. Activities can be adapted to suit learners of all ages. Download a digital copy of the resource.

The launch

On Thursday 8 June 2023 SCILT hosted the Multilingual approaches through Art - online exhibition launch event. The event provided the opportunity to hear from pupils, teachers and partners who participated in the project.

The launch commenced with opening remarks from SCILT and CISS Director Fhiona Mackay. Professor Antonella Sorace, Founder of Bilingualism Matters, spoke about the multilingual approach behind the project, and we heard from project partners Dr Lavinia Hirsu from the University of Glasgow, and Jane Catlin from the University of Strathclyde.

Attendees then had the chance to hear from participating teachers about their experience taking part in the project. Teachers from Antonine Primary, Bowhouse Primary, Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar, Mile End School, St Maria Goretti Primary, and Williamston Primary provided written or recorded feedback, and you can view their comments in the video below. 

Participants were then treated to a viewing of the exhibition launch video, an inspiring showcase of pupils' artwork highlighting their creativity and linguistic skills.  

Finally the online exhibition was unveiled on the SCILT website, where all submitted artwork is available to view. 

View the exhibition launch video below: