Language, Heritage, Migration
Credit: Lottie Hoare
Language, Heritage, Migration
Language and heritage play an important role in the process of global human movement and in the experience of transnational migrants. In this strand we seek to establish a new field of interdisciplinary scholarship which spans multiple disciplines and to link together three university research initiatives on 'language', 'heritage' and 'migration' in particular.
Convener: Yongcan Liu
The programme focuses on a core question pertaining to in what way we can capitalise on the ‘language heritage capital’ in homes, schools and communities to support migrant children’s learning, social integration and mobility across the life span. It builds upon the groundwork of Cambridge Research in Community Language Education Network (https://www.educ.cam.ac.uk/networks/cricle/) established in 2014 which brings together policy makers, practitioners, academics and research students in the Cambridge area to examine critical issues in relation to language heritage in the context of the education and schooling of bilingual children on the move. The programme includes three strands of research, each with a distinctive theme:
Theme 1: Supporting bilingual migrant children's learning and language development through the creative arts and new technologies
Theme 2: Understanding the role of language heritage in migration and settlement through history and other narratives
Theme 3: Developing evidence-based interventions to inform social policy on language maintenance, social integration and the well-being of migrant children
The programme continues to build cross-sector and cross-discipline dialogue to define this new field of scholarship and seeks innovative ways to engage policy makers and inform policy making.
Participants: Participants of this programme include scholars across the disciplines of Modern Languages, Linguistics, Anthropology, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Education, History, Engineering and Computer Science. Research and impact work of this strand also involves professionals across sectors such as local governments; health service; schools and communities; race, ethnicity and diversity services; childcare and protection; organisations that support refugee communities and other Roma and Traveller communities..
Partners of the LHM initiative:
 | Cambridge Research in Community Language Education (CRiCLE) Network was established in 2014 as a research and impact initiative supported by the Newton Fund. Hosted by the Second Language Education Group (SLEG) in the Faculty of Education, it provides a research forum where policy makers, academics, practitioners and research students in Cambridge, and more broadly at national and international levels, can engage in critical debates on language, heritage and migration. The vision of the network is to establish a local University-School-Community Partnership and an international Research Consortium to promote the value of community language and multilingualism in education, integration and well-being of migrant children and youth. |
 | Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum (CECF) is an umbrella organisation for Cambridge and district that provides racial equality services to individuals and groups. CECF provides a cultural diversity service that helps promote an understanding between people from different ethnic groups and help them be a natural part of Cambridge life. We give special social, cultural, moral and practical support to groups and develop particular projects where needed. One of our key services is the Cambridgeshire Human Rights and Equality Support Service (CHESS); also developing a refugee service. CECF is part of the Cambridge COVID -19 City Community Reference Group, involved in supporting the community response to the Covid-19 public health emergency. Webpage:https://cecf.co.uk/ |
 | Cambridge Bilingual Groups is a voluntary group that provides support for groups and supplementary schools for bilingual children in and around Cambridge. The main activities are teacher and manager training, provision of networking opportunities and 1:1 support. Cambridge is home to 1,000’s of international families that use two or more languages. However, as their children grow, many parents find that it is difficult to convey their language and culture on their own. This is why Cambridge nourishes a rich environment of more than 30 supplementary schools and groups for bilingual children and their families. |
 | Norfolk County Council's EAL Advisory Service provides advice and support to Norfolk schools and Early Years setting in establishing best provision for learners who have English as an additional language. The service also work with Norfolk CC’s People from Abroad team and the UASC Social Care team to offer educational support for Unaccompanied Asylum seekers and refugees. The EAL service also offers a range of training and networking opportunities to schools from Norfolk and beyond, and teacher training providers. Other aspects of the service’s work include; championing the work of Norfolk County Council's Anti-Racism campaign, collaborating with Adult Education to set up English lessons for EAL parents and promoting the School of Sanctuary and Young Interpreters initiatives in schools. Website: English as an additional language (EAL) - Schools (norfolk.gov.uk) |
| The Cambridge Refugee Hub | The Cambridge Refugee Hub The CambridgeRefugeeHub, established in 2021, works, through collaboration with those affected by wars, conflicts, and crises, together with the interdisciplinary expertise of the university, to address the plight of displaced populations at home and abroad. CRH provides research, outreach and impact (and limited teaching). Through its programming, it also encourages wider research, practice and policy across the collegiate university. Further, CRH serves as a point of contact on refugees and displaced persons across the University of Cambridge, supporting and platforming various initiatives, such as University of Sanctuary, Cambridge forRefugees, Cambridge Refugee Weekand Crises Desks. |
 | Cambridgeshire Libraries We have 33 static libraries and 3 mobiles in Cambridgeshire. Library membership is free, and anyone living, working, visiting, or studying in Cambridgeshire or neighbouring counties is welcome to join. We offer a warm welcome, free WiFi and PC access, books for loan, access to online resources, and a wide range of free and low-cost events and activities for all ages. Cambridgeshire Libraries were recognised as Libraries of Sanctuary in August 2023, and support new arrivals to the UK through a range of resources including language learning support and study materials. We also signpost to trusted organisations that can help with housing, internet access, learning English, finding a job and more. Please visit our website for more details: Libraries | Cambridgeshire County Council. |