International Journal of Language & Linguistics

The Languages of Others: Exploring the Assumptions of Teachers of Greek as a Second Language on Multilingualism
Simopoulos Giorgos, Magos Kostas, Karalis Thanassis

Abstract
Education in multilingual and culturally diverse groups of adults constitutes an area where different cultural assumptions intersect and interact. Assumptions made not only by the teachers and the students, but also by the educational materials, the culture of the educational organization and the perceptions, attitudes and values that prevail in a broader context. In this paper, one dimension of this interaction will be considered. We will examine the way in which adult educators’ assumptions about the role of different languages and different cultures as part of an educational program, intersect with their educational choices, particularly in moments of crisis or conflict within the group. Research findings show that the majority of teachers in our sample appear to adopt the strategy of assimilating culturally different groups or support their adjustment to prevailing assumptions. On the other hand, a smaller group focuses on smoothing over conflicts without considering the attitudes that caused them. Finally, a minority group of teachers seeks to exploit such incidents and create a climate of reflection and dialogue that leads to a transformation of views, which facilitates communication and understanding.

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