Language as a...?

This event is part of the Festival of Social Science 2025!
www.festivalofsocialscience.com/events/language-as-a-refuge/
Explore the personal and creative sides of language learning in this 1-hour interactive workshop. Reflect on your bi- or multilingual experiences and motivations, and bring them to life through paper-based collage-making using magazines, coloured paper, and cards. Guided prompts and group discussion provide supportive space to share, reflect, and be inspired by others. No previous artistic or language experience is required - all are welcome to join and explore.

Light refreshments are provided at the end of the session.
Sunday October 19 2025

Workshop one - 12:30 to 13:30

Workshop two - 14:00 to 15:00

The same workshop will run twice (1 hour each). Sign up for whichever time works best for you. No need to come to both - the sessions are the same.

This interactive workshop invites participants to explore their experiences with languages through a creative, reflective approach. Centered on the theme “Language as a Refuge”, it encourages you to consider how languages can provide comfort, connection, or a space for self-expression. Participants are also invited to interpret the broader idea of “Language as a …” in any way meaningful to them - as identity, play, memory, or connection.

Through paper-based collage-making, attendees translate personal experiences, motivations, and feelings about multilingual life into visual form. Using magazines, coloured paper, and card, participants layer images, shapes, and words to reflect their relationship with languages and the rich diversity of a multicultural society. Guided prompts and discussion create a supportive environment to reflect, share, and be inspired by your own ideas as well as those of others.

The workshop emphasizes creative expression, self-reflection, and dialogue. Participants will have the opportunity to contribute to, or create their own, tangible collage that reflects personal and shared experiences with language. Attendees can expect a welcoming, engaging space to explore multilingual experiences, connect with others, and discover new perspectives on language in a multicultural world.

Open to adults (18+) and teens 14–17 with a parent or guardian.

People from all backgrounds are welcome, whatever their language learning experience or daily use of languages.

Spots are limited! Each participant needs a ticket - if parents are joining children in the collage-making, please book one for each of you.

Event booking deadline 10 October 2025

Host or Publisher Leeds Institute for Societal Futures