Global challenges for education. Can linguists help?
Submitted by:
João Costa
Abstract:
Education systems across the world face challenges related to equity, inclusion, and endowing students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values allowing them to thrive. Democratic education systems are currently discussing the role of education in a context of uncertainty, of quick development of technology, of construction of a diferente relation with knowledge. Because we live in the middle of an avalanche of information, school is more importante than ever, since information does not equal truth, knowledge or wisdom.
With this background in mind, we propose a reflection on what can be the contribution of formal linguistics, with a particular focus on the integration of the knowledge developed on language acquisition.
It will be argued that this type of research is crucial for the design of education policy, for influencing decisions, and – most importantly – for better practises in the work with students.