by Tanja Radović
As an English language teacher and coordinator of the Serbian-English bilingual programme at Primary School “IV kraljevački bataljon” in Kraljevo, Tanja Radović has always believed in the transformative power of language. Inspired by Terry Lamb’s plenary lecture, “Why Languages Matter! Language Education for Democratic Culture”, presented at the 23rd ELTA Conference, Tanja has deepened her commitment to multilingual education as a cornerstone for fostering democratic culture and understanding.
Her journey began in 2018 when her school first embarked on its bilingual programme, prompting her attendance at the International Conference “Being Bilingual” in Belgrade. This initial spark ignited her passion, leading her to explore further at significant international gatherings, such as the TCA event in Lisbon, focused on multilingualism and European language strategies, and ECML workshops in Graz and Belgrade.
At these enriching events, she expanded her knowledge and skills. She encountered the influential work of Terry Lamb, Professor of Languages and Interdisciplinary Pedagogy at the University of Westminster and President of the Federation Internationale des Professeurs de Langues Vivantes (FIPLV). His inspirational plenary session at the ELTA conference in May 2025 emphasised the essential role of multilingual education in building a democratic and inclusive society.
Tanja’s experiences remind us that multilingualism is more than just teaching languages. It’s about empowering young learners, bridging cultural divides, and fostering global citizens who are capable of engaging thoughtfully in our interconnected world.
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