Exploring learner engagement with languages (LX) within and beyond the English classroom.

Area of Science:

• Multilingual Education
• Second Language Acquisition
• Sociolinguistics

Background:

• Austrian schools face complex student language repertoires, especially in lower secondary education.
• Understanding student attitudes towards multiple languages (LX) is crucial.
• Existing research on language engagement needs expansion to include diverse linguistic contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To redefine and expand the construct of engagement with language.
• To introduce and investigate the concept of 'engagement with LX' (learner's multiple languages).
• To explore how learners utilize, reflect on, and relate to their full language repertoires in all life contexts.

Main Methods:

• Study involved nine middle school English language learners in Austria.
• Data collection included biodata questionnaires, classroom observations, and audio-video recordings.
• Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather in-depth insights.

Main Results:

• Learners exhibit complex multilingual lives intersecting in and out of school.
• Engagement with languages outside the classroom can positively impact English language learning.
• Learners perceive affordances for language learning across their various linguistic contexts.

Conclusions:

• Learners' multilingualism is intricate and interconnected across different life domains.
• External language engagement offers valuable support for formal English language instruction.
• Teachers can leverage students' entire language repertoire to enhance learning processes.