Secondary students' attitudes towards linguistic diversity: an investigation on individual and educational aspects in Italian schools

This paper aims at investigating lower and upper secondary students’ attitudes towards linguistic diversity, here assumed as an extension of the language attitude construct. The research focuses on individual factors, as well as on aspects related to the educational context. Drawing from a larger study, data was gathered from a considerable number of informants in a representative number Italian regions, employing a Likert scale-based questionnaire and through the triangulation of different information from a variety of sources. Results showed that gender, school grade, number of languages known and the migratory background are all predictors of attitudes towards linguistic diversity. Moreover, the adoption of éveil aux langues and CLIL and the purposeful use of the schoolscape though specific activities promoting plurilingualism and intercultural reflection have a significant impact on students’ attitudes.