Abstract:

In today's interconnected and multicultural world, the development of plurilingual education is of great importance. It equips individuals with the ability to communicate and interact across multiple languages, fostering greater cultural understanding and tolerance. By learning and using several languages, pupils not only enhance their cognitive abilities but also gain access to diverse perspectives and knowledge systems, which are crucial in solving global challenges. Plurilingual education prepares pupils for the demands of a globalized job market, where multilingual proficiency is often a significant asset. Moreover, it promotes social cohesion by bridging linguistic and cultural gaps, ultimately contributing to more inclusive and harmonious societies.

Technology's role in education settings is rapidly increasing, revolutionizing how pupils learn and teachers instruct. Interactive digital tools, online resources, and educational software provide dynamic and engaging learning experiences that traditional methods often lack. Virtual classrooms and learning management systems facilitate remote education, making education accessible to a broader audience and fostering a more inclusive learning environment. Additionally, technology enables personalized learning, allowing pupils to progress at their own pace and according to their individual needs. It also supports collaborative learning through platforms that connect pupils globally, promoting teamwork and intercultural communication.

Thus, the use of technology represents a tool of great relevance in developing pupils' plurilingual competence, providing innovative tools and resources that facilitate language learning and practice. Digital platforms and applications offer interactive and immersive experiences, such as virtual language exchanges, gamified learning modules, and multimedia content, which make learning more engaging and effective. Additionally, language learning software can be tailored to individual learning paces and styles, ensuring that each student can progress effectively.

This study is set within the context of secondary education and explores the potentialities of an English course that aims at developing pupils´ plurilingual competence through technology.

Within the framework of a qualitative approach, this case study adopted an interpretative and interactive content analysis. Data were collected during the implementation of the educational program, through pupils´ portfolios (online language biographies on google forms, Padlet reflective exercises, mentimeter questionnaires, online games and applications).

The findings indicate that developing pupils' plurilingual competence through technology is important to boost their language proficiency and confidence and enhances pupils´ motivation and interaction. At the end of the semester, the data collected identified signs of the development of pupils' plurilingual competence in different dimensions.

Keywords:

Plurilingual Education, Technology, English Learning as a Foreign Language.