An exploration of combining two multilingual communication modes: Lingua Receptiva and English as a lingua franca

Abstract

In our globalised and interconnected world, multilingualism is omnipresent. Research regarding multilingual communication modes, such as lingua receptiva or English as a lingua franca, is steadily growing. As far as I know, exploring a combination of the two modes has, however, been neglected. Hence, this study compares the use of a combination of lingua receptiva and English as a lingua franca with the use of the separate modes as applied in conversations and as perceived by students. Data were first collected from an experiment in which 10 multilingual higher education students applied lingua receptiva, English as a lingua franca, and a combination of the two in conversations. Secondly, data on students’ perceptions were collected from an online survey and a focus group interview. The results demonstrate that students do not follow a single pattern of language use in the combination of lingua receptiva and English as a lingua franca contrary to the two separate modes. Students’ perceptions suggest that combining lingua receptiva and English as a lingua franca merges many benefits and evades many challenges of the separate modes, which aligns with their preference of the combination. Due to this effect regarding the benefits and challenges, the study concludes that lingua receptiva and English as a lingua franca can and should be combined.