Research Network

Bilingualism Matters @EastofEngland

Lots of foreign language dictionaries.

Bilingualism Matters @EastofEngland provides information for parents, schools and language professionals

Bilingualism Matters (BM) @EastofEngland was established in the centre of Language Development throughout the Lifespan (LaDeLi) in March 2018. BM@EastofEngland is part of a network of branches across the world run by researchers working on bilingualism and language learning, communicating to families, teachers, speech and language therapists and policy makers about these issues.

Bilingualism Matters was originally founded at University of Edinburgh by Professor Antonella Sorace, with the aim of enabling people to make informed decisions based on scientific evidence. We believe that real change happens through dialogue between researchers and the community.

Much of our work involves collaborative projects on the following subjects:

  • bilingual development in infants
  • school-aged bilingual children
  • language learning
  • the effect of age on bilingualism

Advice for bilingual families

The BM @Edinburgh team has put together a series of resources for parents of bilingual children. These resources provide information on a range of topics, such as:

  • You have a bilingual household and want to raise your child bilingually but you are not sure how to do this
  • You are worried about how bilingualism might affect your child’s school achievement
  • You want to know more about how the mind of a bilingual child works 

You can view the resources on the Bilingualism Matters website. Or contact us via email and get further information from Dr Claire Delle Luche.

Consultancy and training

We are happy to provide information sessions, training and consultancies for a range of audiences.

  • We are experienced providers of training workshops on bi- and multilingualism and language learning for practitioners in health and education.
  • We can provide consultancy and information sessions for businesses and international organisations. We are usually required to charge a consultancy fee for this work.
  • We are always ready to engage with local, national and international policy makers in an advisory role, and contribute to reports and consultations concerned with the promotion of bilingualism and multilingualism in society.

Information sessions

Bilingualism is for everyone, not just those who grew up in bilingual households. Investing in language learning at school or nursery is a great chance to give our children the best possible future.

We can provide accessible and informative talks about bilingualism and second language learning at venues in London and in the East of England (Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk etc.) for the following groups:

Book your session

Community groups and parents' associations

Talks are free of charge although all donations are welcome! However, we do ask for travel expenses to be covered.

To book a session please email Dr Claire Delle Luche.

State-run primary and secondary schools, nurseries and early years centres

Talks are free of charge although all donations are welcome! However, we do ask for travel expenses to be covered.

If you are a teacher or group leader, please email Dr Claire Delle Luche to book your session.

If you are a parent, please contact your school or nursery to discuss the possibility of arranging a talk.

Private schools, colleges or venues requiring considerable travel

To cover the cost of these sessions we ask for a consultancy fee plus travel expenses. 

If you are booking a session and you are a teacher or group leader, please contact Dr Claire Delle Luche.

If you are a parent, please contact your school or nursery to discuss the possibility of arranging a talk.

Centre for LaDeLi
Contact us
Bilingualism Matters @EastofEngland University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ 
Centre for Research in Language Development throughout the Lifespan (LaDeLi) University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ
Telephone: 01206 872083