Abstract
The paper examines the potential of arts as a second or additional language. It proposes that this approach offers students a unique opportunity to develop cognitive and language skills, critical thinking abilities, cultural awareness, and a sense of social justice. Art literacy involves several aspects, including appreciating the arts, being inspired by them, reflecting, and expressing oneself through them. Similarly, learning a second language requires familiarising oneself with its sounds and forms, interacting and collaborating with experienced target language users, and reflecting and expressing oneself through the language. Integrating arts as an additional language into educational practices can create inclusive, dynamic, and critical learning environments that provide equitable access to all students, fostering creativity, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the world around them. Studies have shown that motivation and individuals' willingness to learn a language can significantly impact their proficiency, and the arts have a unique advantage in this regard. They can initiate communication through non-linguistic means without the limitations of grammar and language rules. This approach is particularly relevant for e-generation students who prefer to express their emotions and ideas through diverse means. Drawing from the CARE/SS EU-funded Erasmus + project, this paper provides documentation of the power of art to act as an additional language that scaffolds students' learning across the curriculum. It also provides a platform for students to engage with critical issues, develop a deeper understanding of societal challenges, and cultivate a sense of social responsibility.
Author Information
Martha Ioannidou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Soula Mitakidou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Antonis Lenakakis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Paper Information
Conference: PCE2024
Stream: Challenging & Preserving: Culture
This paper is part of the PCE2024 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Ioannidou M., Mitakidou S., & Lenakakis A. (2024) From Foreign to Familiar: Approaching the Arts As the New Potential Second Language in Socially Aware Education ISSN: 2758-0962 The Paris Conference on Education 2024: Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 523-536) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2758-0962.2024.40
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2758-0962.2024.40
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