Social and Affective Factors in Home Language Maintenance and Development
Convenors:
- Xiao Lan CURDT-CHRISTIANSEN, University of Bath (UK)
- Janica NORDSTROM, University of Sydney (Australia)
Scope:
The Home Language Maintenance and Development Research Network (HOLM ReN), established in 2015, focuses on the social and affective factors influencing home language maintenance and development. It has three primary aims:
- Research: HOLM ReN fosters collaboration and exchange among scholars investigating home language maintenance, particularly focusing on the social and emotional factors influencing bilingualism and multilingualism.
- Dissemination: The network aims to disseminate research findings to various stakeholders, including policymakers, educators, childcare providers, parents, and minority language-speaking communities. This helps raise awareness of the importance of home language preservation.
- Advocacy: HOLM ReN advocates for the uptake of research findings through lobbying and expert advice to stakeholders. This includes contributing to senate inquiries, supporting grassroots initiatives, and more.
The network continues to thrive and expand, having undergone leadership transitions in early 2024, with Xiao Lan Curdt-Christiansen and Janica Nordstrom taking over the convenorship from founding members Andrea Schalley and Susana Eisenchlas. An advisory board was also established to support the network's growing activities.
The network organizes various events to promote collaboration and knowledge exchange. Key events include regular HOLM conferences, such as the one held in Tallinn, Estonia in 2023 (organised by Anastassia Zabrodskaja, Susana Eisenchlas, and Andrea Schalley), which gathered over 60 participants, including many early-career researchers. The network has also formed sub-interest groups within the scope of the ReN, with particular focus on community language schools, endangered languages, immigrant students in bilingual contexts, and family language policy. These groups continue to collaborate via online and in-person events, and regularly share resources, publications, and research opportunities.
In addition to conferences, HOLM ReN members participate in major symposia, such as the AILA and ISB conferences, where they present research on language diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability. Through its dissemination efforts, the network also shares research via keynote presentations, social media, and its website.
Highlight of 3 scientific ReN works during the previous period:
- HOLM Conference “Research on Social and Affective Factors in Home Language Maintenance”. Organised by Anastassia Zabrodskaja, Susana Eisenchlas, and Andrea Schalley (Tallinn, Estonia, 2023):
- AILA: “Social and affective factors in home language maintenance and development” - Symposium led by Andrea Schalley and Susana Eisenchlas.
- AAAL: “Teacher talk about parents and multilingualism. Attitudes and beliefs across countries.”. Symposium led by Päivi Juvonen and Andrea Schalley, with Åsa Palvianinen as discussant (Pittsburgh, US, 2022)
Some members:
- Xiao Lan CURDT-CHRISTIANSEN, University of Bath (United Kingdom)
- Janica NORDSTROM, University of Sydney (Australia)
- Andrea SCHALLEY, Karlstad University (Sweden)
- Susana EISENCHLAS, Griffith University (Australia)
- Jesahe HERRERA RUANO, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit (Mexico)
- Lin PAN, Beijing Normal University (China)
- Angie BAILY, University of Bath (United Kingdom)
- Beatrice VENTURIN, University of Melbourne (Australia)
- Jaione DIAZ MAZQUIARAN, Monash University (Australia)
- Xinrui SONG, University of Tasmania (Australia)