Multilingualism in everyday use

LangueFlowTeaching materials

Creative writing exercise and group discussion (90 minutes)

by Johanna Domokos

Below are six suggested steps for a creative writing class suitable for high school students and above.

  • The time slots can be adjusted based on group size and dynamics.
  • If discussions take longer than expected, the exercise can be split across two consecutive classes.
  • Share examples in class, if participants are present in person, or in the chat and digital whiteboard if they are online.

1. Individual work (3 minutes)

Think about your most recent and your earliest memory where you encountered the use of multiple languages.

Group: Share and discuss the examples.

2. Individual work (5 minutes)

Write down ten or more additional situations where you have encountered the use of multiple languages.

Group: Share and discuss the examples. Each participant is also asked to comment specifically on their own list.

3. Work in pairs (5 minutes)

Form pairs and categorise your examples based on where and in what kind of setting they happened (social, educational, artistic, etc.). Write a list.

Group: Share and discuss the examples.

4. Group (15 minutes or more)

Now create a unified list of all situations. You can group them into broader categories and include also subcategories.

  • One of the students writes the unified list on the computer, projecting on the wall, or online whiteboard.

5. Groups of three (5-10 minutes)

Form groups of three. Brainstorm together, discuss the questions and create a list:

  • What are the functions of multilingualism in these examples?
  • Why and for what purpose are multiple languages used?
  • Can multilingualism be replaced? Why (not)?

Group: Share and discuss the examples.

6. Final Discussion

Describe a situation where multilingualism brings a playful or humorous aspect to the experience.

Enjoy!

Photo: © Sabira Ståhlberg 2025