The importance of language

Well-being, identity, community cohesion and economic growth

While English language acquisition is important for many migrants’ participation in British life, maintaining the use of their own first/native language or their ancestors’ first/native language is important for child well-being (Müller et al. 2020) and cultural identity (Li Wei 2006; Reed et al. 2020).

Research has also shown that “home” or “community” language maintenance is important for community cohesion (Ayres-Bennett and Carruthers 2018; Rose 2013) and social inclusion (Matras and Robinson 2017).

Furthermore, languages skills have significant value in local and international education, business, and other sectors, and as such, language skills are vital to economic growth (Ayres-Bennett et al. 2022; Matras and Robinson 2015).

Want to know more?

Centre for Literacy and Multilingualism, University of Reading - The benefits of multilingualism in the family: advice for parents.

The Research Unit for Multilingualism and Cross-Cultural Communication (RUMACCC), University of Melbourne – Information brochures about the benefits of multilingualism and LOTEs (Languages other than English):