The Science of Learning in Education Centre hosts Professor Gigi Luk from McGill University

On 29 April 2025, the Science of Learning in Education Centre (SoLEC) hosted Professor Gigi Luk from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where she shared her work on “Language or Learning Differences? Considering Linguistic Diversity in Education” as part of SoLEC’s Science of Learning in Education Series. Prof Luk’s research focuses on how diverse language experiences shape development and learning. She shared her insights and exploration on the intersection of multilingualism and special education in the United States (US) and Canada using a transdisciplinary approach, highlighting the impact of diverse language experiences on educational development and the disparities between linguistic contexts in the US and Canada. Prof Luk also discussed how multilingual students, particularly in the US, are often overrepresented in special education programs due to a focus on English proficiency and presented compelling findings on the performances of multilingual children and their monolingual peers in word reading tasks. Additionally, she emphasised the need to adapt educational services to embrace linguistic diversity rather than making assumptions about children’s language skills.

During the Q&A session, Prof Luk answered questions on the acquisition of dominant language benefiting disadvantaged children and the process of brain activation patterns when learning two languages. She further clarifies that increased brain connectivity represents adaptation rather than struggle and explained the distinction between English language instruction and special education services. At the end of the webinar, Prof Luk emphasised the importance of not assuming children’s language capabilities but rather to embrace diversity.