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Multilingual word-processing in primary schools

The aim of this project, funded by the University of Reading Research Endowment Fund, was to investigate how multilingual word-processing could enhance language and IT work within a multicultural primary school.

Through the introduction of Urdu word-processing, the project:

involved parents working with children to produce stories and other work in Urdu and Urdu and English
considered the most effective ways that multilingual word-processing could be used within the school eg staff support, materials production, use by bilingual children, use by monolingual children
looked at the difficulties and practicalities of introducing multilingual word-processing in a primary school, eg training, familiarisation, software choice, appropriate use
considered ways of organising dual texts in Urdu and English so that both languages are of equal status and are designed appropriately for children
enabled staff to produce teaching materials in a language other than English and in dual language versions.

The findings of this project are reported in the following publications:

Chana, U., Edwards, V. & Walker, S (1997) Calligrapher or keyboard operator: multilingual wordprocessing in the primary school. Multicultural teaching 16 (1): 39–42.

Unexpected benefits of multilingual technology. Times Educational Supplement 27 June: 35.

Chana, U., Edwards, V. & Walker, S (1998) Hidden resources: multilingual wordprocessing in the primary school. Race, Ethnicity and Education 1(1):49–61.

Chana, U., Edwards, V. & Walker, S (1998) Calligrapher or keyboard operator: multilingual wordprocessing in the primary school. Multicultural teaching 16 (1): 39–42.

Chana, U., Edwards, V. & Walker, S (1999) In their own write: wordprocessing in Urdu. In P. Goodwin (ed.) The literate classroom. London: David Fulton Publishers, pp.99–105.

For further information contact:

Professor Viv Edwards
National Centre for Language and Literacy
The University of Reading
Bulmershe Court
Reading RG6 1HY

Tel 0118 378 8820
Fax 0118 378 6801
Email V.K.Edwards@reading.ac.uk