About the network
Members of LiVE conduct research on language at several levels within vocational education and training. We are interested in both teacher and student perspectives, and study second language learning, classroom practices, sociolinguistics, as well as topics related to language and educational policy. Our projects share an interest in and focus on practice, and we aim to develop knowledge that is relevant for stakeholders in and around vocational education and training, including students, teachers, school leaders, teacher educators, apprenticeship facilitaors and educational policymakers.
The LiVE network works to contribute to research on and knowledge concerning language, multilingualism and second language learning in vocational education and training, as these areas have long received little attention in both language research and research on vocational education. We seek to further develop theories and methods suited to studying language in vocational contexts, and we work actively to communicate research-based knowledge to peers, teacher education programmes and the field of practice. Our aim is to contribute to a better understanding of how language and multilingualism affect students’ opportunities for learning, completion and participation in vocational education and training.
The network was established in Trondheim in December 2022 by the following members:
- Mari J. Wikhaug Andersen (Østfold University College)
- Unni Soltun Andreassen (NTNU)
- Anette L. Brekke (NTNU)
- Line Møller Daugaard (Aarhus University)
- Irmelin Kjelaas (NTNU)
- Gabriela Meier (University of Exeter)
Activities
Since its establishment, the LiVE network has carried out several research and dissemination activities, including conference symposia and an open workshop. See the overview below.
- Research seminar, Trondheim, December 2022
- Symposium at the European Conference for Educational Research (ECER), Glasgow, UK, August 2023
- Workshop on multilingualism in vocational education and training (VET), Flerspråklighet på yrkesfag, Halden, Norway, November 2024
- Working group at the NOA - Norwegian as a second language conference, Hamar, Norway, June 2025
- Symposium at the conference Skriv! Les!, Trondheim, Norway, May 2026