Connecting younger second-language learners and older bilinguals: interconnectedness and social inclusion

Abstract

This article reports on an inter-generational inter-cultural pilot project carried out in suburban Melbourne which supports the second-language acquisition of younger people and enhances the social inclusion of older people of migrant background. The article begins with an outline of the multilingual context in which the project is based. The project is then described, and qualitative data indicating its success are presented. This is collected from a student focus group, phone interviews with older participants and conversations between students and older participants.