9 Months, 9 Universities webinar: Cross-linguistic mediation as sustainable translanguaging practice

We invite you to join the next webinar in the 9 Months, 9 Universities series, organised within the framework of the Arqus Plurilingual and Intercultural Hub. The session titled “Is There a More Nutritious Approach? Cross-Linguistic Mediation as Sustainable Translanguaging Practice for CLIL and Minority Language Education” will take place online on 18 May 2026 at 10:00 CEST.

The talk will explore the challenges of embracing translanguaging practices in minority language and CLIL educational settings. It will consider the tension between drawing on learners’ full linguistic repertoires and safeguarding the vitality of minority languages such as Irish.

Furthermore, it will explore how dominant languages, particularly English, can both support and potentially hinder learning in these contexts.

The talk will introduce the concept of cross-linguistic mediation from the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages as a potential way to address these challenges.

Overall, it will examine on whether a more structured approach to translanguaging can help balance effective learning with language sustainability.

About the speaker

Dr Ailín Ní Chonchúir works in the Centre for Irish Language Research, Teaching and Testing at Maynooth University in Ireland. She has a special interest in teacher education – both pre-service teacher training and continuous professional development. Dr Ni Chonchúir has been involved in teaching, teacher training and syllabus design across all levels of the education system in Ireland and internationally. She has experience in the early childhood sector, at the primary, secondary and third level (undergraduate and postgraduate), as well as in the adult and community sector. Her PhD research was in cross-linguistic pedagogy.