Participants' comments

“This has been a stimulating and well conceived and organised event. The work of ‘Our Languages’ has to be disseminated as widely as possible.”
Dr Raymonde Sneddon, University of East London

“The symposium has confirmed my belief that multilingualism is overwhelmingly beneficial and positive, both for individuals and for societies at large.”
Professor Becky Francis, Roehampton University

“Determined to take the message elsewhere.”
Professor Jim Coleman, the Open University

“I am struck by the breadth of audience today, but also by the absence of British politicians and civil servants.”
Professor Pam Moores, Aston University

“The experience of being part of a community of practice: we may be preaching to the converted but it's good to experience strength in numbers.”
Professor Angela Creese, University of Birmingham

“I see some optimistic opportunities [regarding the contribution of community languages to the economy] in the 14-19 diplomas and the 2012 Olympics.”
Cathy Pomphrey, London Metropolitan University

“From 'parallel lives' to ' shared lives and languages'.”
Dr Eugene McKendry, CILT Northern Ireland

“It was very interesting to have such a wide-ranging debate - going beyond language education to bigger and wider issues - and having contributions from excellent speakers with a wide range of expertise.”
Kathy Wicksteed, Association for Language Learning

“The ‘Investing in Our Languages’ symposium opened my eyes to the importance of community languages in other areas such as social cohesion and individual cognitive ability, especially in the research undertaken by Dr C Kenner and Prof Li Wei.”
Zahrah Mostaque, University of Cambridge/PMGF

“As head of languages at a HEI, as chair of UCML, I want to bridge the divide between 'Our Languages' and 'MFL', share knowledge and thinking on strategy, and devise a concerted national campaign.”
Professor Pam Moores, Aston University

“Further research, and further appeals to/pressure on policy makers to support complementary schools.”
Professor Becky Francis, Roehampton University

“To explore links with the community cohesion "movement" in greater depth, for the benefit of both cohesion and languages agenda.”
Anonymous

“I look forward to using 'Our Languages' as a springboard to encouraging the implanting and implementations of its aims through NICILT in Northern Ireland.”
Dr Eugene McKendry, CILT Northern Ireland

“By making sure that the issues of language learning, of the value of community languages, of the scale and value of complementary schools are built in to relevant ITE and undergraduate programmes at the University.”
Dr Raymonde Sneddon, University of East London

“Promoting language learning by adults.”
Professor Jim Coleman, the Open University