How does discrimination against languages and their speakers manifest itself? And how can teachers combat various forms of “linguicism” in the classroom? This is the focus of a Vienna-based association called Migrationspädagogische Zweitsprachdidaktik.

Multilingual learners consolidate reading strategies more effectively if they can draw on all their language skills – an approach that valorizes and makes the most of their previous knowledge.

The early years are particularly well suited to language learning. However, in many institutions, the basic conditions still leave a good deal to be desired.

From 2016 onwards in Finland the children are no longer going to learn cursive handwriting, in Switzerland the pupils only learn a basic script. Also in Germany the abolition of cursive handwriting is discussed.

Foreign languages were not compulsory at primary schools in England. That changed in September 2014. English-speaking children can now have fun learning German with hand puppets Felix and Franzi.