International Journal of Bilingual
Education and Bilingualism
Editor: Colin Baker, University of Wales, Bangor
Review Editor: Aneta Pavlenko, Temple University, Philadelpia
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Volume: 7 Number: 1 Page: 24–42
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Multilingual Interaction in Plurilingual Classes – European School Practice
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Alexandra Muller and Hugo Baetens Beardsmore
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The paper illustrates how interaction operates in classes where there is no single shared common language between teachers and pupils. Samples from a European School primary class taken from 1669 extracts
are given of teacher-pupil, pupil-teacher and pupil-pupil interaction. Goals of the programme investigated are to integrate heterogeneous groups while showing respect for language diversity, to encourage
co-operation, to accustom pupils to a multilingual environment and to encourage development of multilingual skills. Communication strategies, both verbal and non-verbal, in a typical classroom sub-culture
are shown. Results reveal how the strategies used by all involved enable them to cope with the unexpected, which is typical of a linguistically mixed class. Code-switching plays a significant and legitimate
role in the coping strategies.
Keywords: MULTILINGUALISM, STRATEGIES, CODE-SWITCHING, EUROPEAN SCHOOLS
© Multilingual Matters 2004
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