Published in Language Magazine – November 2023
https://languagemagazine.com/2024/02/12/world-readiness-for-a-world-in-conflict/
“What happens to language learning when there is a war?”
Global conflict … will cause demand for multilingual skills to go up, leading to more funding for language programs and opportunities for language learners, but that some language programs would benefit while others might be jeopardized. World readiness in language learning for a world in conflict will involve increasing capacity, which will mean expanding language programs and also stabilizing programs as they face these pressures.
I propose that it will also mean delivering language instruction that is effective, interdisciplinary, inclusive, and intentional about creating a foundation for lifelong learning. For learners from all linguistic and cultural backgrounds, in all contexts of learning, I believe that we need to reconsider the concept of world readiness and prepare learners for the global challenges that will impact their individual realities, while also aspiring to develop individuals who can reduce the conflicts in our world.
