Further Language Learning in Linguistic and Cultural Diverse Contexts

Barbara Gross is a Researcher and Lecturer at the Faculty of Education at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy. Her current research activities focus mainly on linguistic and cultural diversity in educational settings.

This book is adapted from Barbara Gross’s doctoral thesis, which won the SPES Award 2019 from the Società di politica educazione e storia (SPES)."This book is excellent. It shows that language learning is not a neat linear process but a highly dynamic activity influenced by a complex interaction of learner-internal and learner-external variables. South Tyrol offers a perfect multilingual background for this mixed methods investigation."Jean-Marc Dewaele, Birkbeck, University of London."The book is an excellent theoretical, methodological and empirical analysis of intercultural and multilingual settings and their effects on educational processes. It consists of a sound and critical analysis of the state of the art, uses a clever mixed methods research design, and empirically shows how individual factors, family and the school environment, and the social context determine language learning in complex intercultural settings. It also draws practical conclusions. Intercultural education research on the right, modern track!"Edwin Keiner, Professor of Education, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy."In light of the growing need for diverse language skills in today’s globalized world, as well as the cognitive benefits that multilingualism can accrue, Barbara Gross presents a comprehensive account of the complex process of language learning. Taking a holistic perspective, she considers individual characteristics, family circumstances, and influences of the teaching and learning environment – all which bear upon language learning. The setting for Gross’s investigation is South Tyrol, a region unique for its linguistic and cultural diversity. This book enriches knowledge on language learning at the regional level, with relevance for other linguistically and culturally diverse societies."Prof Dr Ingrid Gogolin & Antje Hansen, Universität Hamburg.

• 1. Introduction 2. Research on and for Language Learning 3. Picture of Language Learning Success 4. Learner-Internal Characteristics5. Family Environment 6. School Environment 7. Social Context and Extracurricular Learning 8. Conclusion, Implications, and Outlook