THE ROLE OF ARTS AND LANGUAGE INTEGRATION IN ENHANCING INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION IN MULTILINGUAL CLASSROOMS

Abstract

Integrating arts and language learning in multilingual classrooms has emerged as a critical pedagogical strategy for fostering intercultural competence, creativity, and cognitive development. This study investigates how the intersection of arts-based pedagogy and language acquisition contributes to learners’ cultural awareness, expressive capabilities, and communicative competence. Employing bibliographic research, bibliometric analysis, and thematic synthesis, the study systematically examines 156 peer-reviewed publications published between 2010 and 2025. Bibliometric mapping identifies trends in publication growth, geographic distribution, and intellectual networks, revealing increasing global interest in arts-language integration in multilingual settings. Findings indicate that integrating visual arts, music, drama, and digital media with language instruction enhances students’ intercultural sensitivity, supports additive multilingual identity development, and promotes creative problem-solving skills. Conceptual frameworks synthesized from the literature highlight three interconnected domains essential for effective pedagogy: artistic integration, linguistic scaffolding, and intercultural reflective practice. Statistical analysis of bibliometric trends demonstrates rapid growth in publications post-2016, particularly from Europe, North America, and Asia, underscoring the global relevance of this pedagogical approach. The study contributes to theoretical and practical understandings of arts-language integration as a mechanism for enhancing cognitive, cultural, and creative competencies in multilingual classrooms.