Intergenerational and Intercultural language encounters
Intergenerational and Intercultural language encounters
Intergenerational and Intercultural language encounters
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1 Summary of the research project “Connecting younger second <strong>language</strong>learners <strong>and</strong> older bilinguals: <strong>Intergenerational</strong>, intercultural <strong>encounters</strong><strong>and</strong> second <strong>language</strong> acquisition” (2010-2012) (page 1 of 2)This KIT originates from a research project which was funded by the AustralianResearch Council from 2010 to 2012. It brings together students of Chinese,German or Spanish with older speakers of the <strong>language</strong>, promoting mutuallybeneficial intercultural, intergenerational <strong>encounters</strong>.Regular meetings offer students real interaction with target <strong>language</strong> speakers<strong>and</strong> enhance their communicative competence. At the same time these meetingsincrease seniors‟ social activities <strong>and</strong> improve their quality of life.This initiative of connecting community members from different generations <strong>and</strong>different cultural backgrounds has a positive impact on the social fabric of theAustralian society. It fills a gap in recent trends that show a decline in voluntarywork <strong>and</strong> an erosion of individual connectedness in Australia. This project fosterscommunity engagement <strong>and</strong> social cohesion in a multicultural society. It shapesfuture attitudes <strong>and</strong> interactions across multicultural communities as is shown onthe project website <strong>and</strong> in publications.3
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