Multilingualism and Social Impact

The benefits of being multilingual extend beyond mere linguistic competence, fostering open-mindedness and empathy among speakers of multiple languages. This proficiency not only develops an understanding of diverse cultures but also promotes global awareness, playing a vital role in reducing discrimination.

At the British International School Budapest, students are actively leveraging their multilingual skills to make a positive social impact. Service-Learning and CAS projects serve as platforms for students to connect with charities, conduct research, and create awareness campaigns—all while utilising their language abilities. These projects not only exemplify intercultural competence but also underscore the importance of a common language in understanding the needs of communities and individuals.

The curriculum at our institution emphasises the significance of global goals in both English, Hungarian and World Languages lessons. Students are encouraged to contemplate their role in making the world a better place, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Real-world applications of multilingualism have become evident in projects where students offer lessons of Hungarian as a foreign language to staff members or provide English tutoring to underprivileged students as part of their CAS projects.

The acquisition of multilingual skills empowers students to target SDGs both locally and globally, contributing to our school's achievement of the Social Impact Gold Award distinction. By fostering a culture of multilingualism, we not only equip our students with a valuable skill set but also instill in them the ethos of making a meaningful difference in the world—a testament to the profound impact language can have on social change.

Social Impact team at The British International School Budapest