Luk Van Mensel Ph.D.

Associate professor

Luk Van Mensel has published on a variety of subjects in SLA and sociolinguistics, including multilingualism in the family, linguistic landscapes, economic aspects of multilingualism, language education policy, socio-affective factors and language learning, and bilingual education (CLIL).

For my publications, see https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Luk-Van-Mensel


  • PhD in Linguistics, University of Namur (Belgium) - 2014
  • MA in Linguistics, Ghent University (Belgium) - 2003
  • MA in Eastern Languages and Cultures - Indology, Ghent University (Belgium) - 1998
  • BA in Eastern Languages and Cultures - Indology, Ghent University (Belgium) - 1996


  • Associate professor, XJTLU - 2022 to Present
  • Guest professor, KU Leuven Campus Brussel - 2014 to 2022
  • Lecturer, University of Namur - 2014 to 2022
  • Lecturer, UCLouvain - 2014 to 2022
  • Lecturer, VUB - 2014 to 2022
  • Lecturer, ULB - 2014 to 2022


  • Multilingualism in the family
  • Linguistic landscapes
  • Economic aspects of multilingualism
  • Language education policy
  • Socio-affective factors and language learning
  • Bilingual education


  • PARMENTIER, C., SIMONIS, M., VAN MENSEL, L., HILIGSMANN, Ph., GALAND, B., LEFÈVRE, N., & SZMALEC, A. (in preparation). Language proficiency and study achievement of dyslexic children enrolled in immersion education in French-speaking Belgium.
  • METTEWIE, L., VAN MENSEL, L., DE SMET, A., & GALAND, B. (submitted). Enjoyment, anxiety, and language learning motivation in CLIL and non-CLIL: a longitudinal approach. Language Teaching Research.
  • VAN MENSEL, L., & VANDENBROUCKE, M. (submitted). Molenbeek: The layered semiotic landscape of a vilified neighborhood. Social semiotics.
  • VAN MENSEL, L., & GALAND, B. (2022). Testing the predictive power of executive functions, motivation, and input on second-language vocabulary acquisition: A prospective study. European Journal of Psychology of Education. DOI: 10.1007/s10212-022-00597-x
  • VAN MENSEL, L., & DE MEULDER, M. (2021). Exploring the multilingual family repertoire: ethnographic approaches. Editorial. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 42(8), 693-697.
  • VAN MENSEL, L., & HILIGSMANN, Ph. (2021). Assessing CLIL: A multidisciplinary approach. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. DOI: 10.1080/13670050.2021.1935441
  • METTEWIE, L., & VAN MENSEL, L. (2020). Understanding foreign language education and bilingual education in Belgium: a (surreal) piece of cake. International Journal of Bilingualism and Bilingual Education.
  • VAN MENSEL, L., BULON, A., HENDRIKX, I., MEUNIER, F., & VAN GOETHEM, K. (2020). Effects of input on L2 writing skills in English and Dutch: CLIL and non-CLIL learners in French-speaking Belgium. Journal of Immersion and Content-Based Language Education, 8(2), 173-199. DOI: 10.1075/jicb.18034.van
  • VAN MENSEL, L., HILIGSMANN, Ph., METTEWIE, L., & GALAND, B. (2020). CLIL, an elitist language learning approach? A background analysis of English and Dutch CLIL pupils in French-speaking Belgium. Language, Culture and Curriculum, 33(1), 1-14. DOI: 10.1080/07908318.2019.1571078
  • VAN MENSEL, L., & HÉLOT, C. (2019). Multilingualism and education in the 21st century: Critical perspectives / Le multilinguisme en contexte éducatif au 21ème siècle : Perspectives critiques. Cahiers Internationaux de Sociolinguistique, 16, 9-17.
  • DE SMET, A., METTEWIE, L., GALAND, B., HILIGSMANN, Ph., & VAN MENSEL, L. (2019). Does CLIL shape attitudes and motivations? Interactions with target languages and instruction levels. International Journal of Bilingualism and Bilingual Education. DOI: 10.1080/13670050.2019.1671308
  • VAN MENSEL, L. (2018). ‘Quiere koffie?’ The multilingual familylect of transcultural families. International Journal of Multilingualism (Special Issue on Family Language Policy), 15(3), 233-248.
  • VAN MENSEL, L. (2018). Multilingual families in a multilingual society. The language practices of three multilingual families in Brussels, Belgium. Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning, 13(1), 65-77.
  • DE SMET, A., METTEWIE, L., GALAND, B., HILIGSMANN, Ph., & VAN MENSEL, L. (2018). Classroom anxiety and enjoyment in CLIL and non-CLIL: Does the target language matter? Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching, 8(1), 47-72.
  • HILIGSMANN, Ph., VAN MENSEL, L., GALAND, B., METTEWIE, L., MEUNIER, F., SZMALEC, A., VAN GOETHEM, K., BULON, A., DE SMET, A., HENDRIKX, I., & SIMONIS, M. (2017). Assessing Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) in French-speaking Belgium: linguistic, cognitive, and educational perspectives. Cahiers du Girsef, 109, 1-24.
  • VAN MENSEL, L., & YAO, L.-H. (2017). “Ni yao shenme? Patatje?” Gezinstaalbeleid en meertalige praktijken in een Chinees migrantengezin in België. Tijdschrift voor Nederlandse Taal- en Letterkunde, 133(3), 159-182.
  • VAN MENSEL, L., & DECONINCK, J. (2017). Language learning motivation and projected desire: An interview study with parents of young language learners. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. DOI: 10.1080/13670050.2016.1272543
  • VAN MENSEL, L. (2016). Being a francophone parent in Dutch-medium education in Brussels: a tale of tensions and competing discourses. Minorités linguistiques et société (7), 195-211.
  • VAN MENSEL, L. (2016). Children and choices. The effect of macro language policy on the individual agency of transnational parents in Brussels. Language Policy (15), 547-560. DOI: 10.1007/s10993-015-9391-x
  • METTEWIE, L. & VAN MENSEL, L. (2009). Multilingualism at all costs: Language needs in business in Brussels. Sociolinguistica (23), 131-149.
  • VAN MENSEL, L. & METTEWIE, L. (2008). De economische (meer)waarde van meertaligheid: Vreemde talen in het Brusselse bedrijfsleven. n/f (8), 101-124.
  • VAN MENSEL, L., & JANSSENS, S. (2005). De ontwikkeling van productieve NT2 vaardigheden van Franstalige leerlingen in het Nederlandstalig onderwijs in Brussel. Toegepaste taalwetenschap in artikelen (73), 179-89.


  • Edited volumes
  • GORTER, D., MARTEN, H. F. & VAN MENSEL, L. (2012). Minority Languages in the Linguistic Landscape. Basingstoke, Palgrave McMillan.
  • WITTE, E., VAN MENSEL, L., PIERRARD, M., METTEWIE, L., HOUSEN, A., & DE GROOF, R. (2005). Language, Attitudes and Education in Multilingual Cities. Brussel, KVABWK.
  • Special Issues (guest editor)
  • VAN MENSEL, L., & DE MEULDER, M. (2021). Exploring the multilingual family repertoire: ethnographic approaches. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 42(8).
  • With contributions by: M. De Meulder, A. Kusters & J. Napier, C. Smith-Christmas, J. Purkarthofer, F. Said, and L. Lanza.
  • VAN MENSEL, L., & HILIGSMANN, Ph. (2021). Assessing CLIL: A multidisciplinary approach. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. DOI: 10.1080/13670050.2021.1935441
  • With contributions by: L. Mettewie, Ph.. Hiligsmann, A. Szmalec, B. Galand, F. Meunier, K. Van Goethem, A. Bulon, A. De Smet, I. Hendrikx, M. Simonis, L. Van Mensel.
  • VAN MENSEL, L., & HÉLOT, C. (2019). Multilingualism and education in the 21st century: Critical perspectives / Le multilinguisme en contexte éducatif au 21ème siècle : Perspectives critiques. Cahiers Internationaux de Sociolinguistique, 16.
  • With contributions by: K.M. Martin, G.Y. Aponte & O. Garcia, P. Prax-Dubois, J. Cummins, S. Tsiplakou, A. Paris & M.-Th. Farrugia, S. Hofmann & A. Hu, J. Cenoz & K. van der Worp.


  • VAN MENSEL, L. (in preparation). Everyday language practices in the family: ‘After the beep, say a command’. In: BONACINA-PUGH, F., Language Policy as Practice: The empirical turn in language policy research. Basingstoke, Palgrave McMillan.
  • VAN MENSEL, L. (2021). Post-colonial re-memorization in the public space. A Patrice Lumumba square in Brussels. In: BLACKWOOD, R., & DUNLEVY, D., Multilingualism in the public space: Empowering and transforming communities. London, Bloomsbury, 159-176.
  • VAN MENSEL, L. (2020). Multilingual family practices: An interactional study. In: CALIENDO, G., JANSSENS, R., SLEMBROUCK, S., & VAN AVERMAET, P., Urban multilingualism in the European Union: Bridging the gap between language policies and language practices. Berlin, Mouton de Gruyter, 141-164.
  • GORTER, D. MARTEN, H. F., & VAN MENSEL, L. (2019). Linguistic Landscapes and Minority Languages. In: HOGAN-BRUN, G., & O’ ROURKE, B., Palgrave Handbook of Minority Languages and Communities. Basingstoke, Palgrave McMillan, 481-506.
  • VAN MENSEL, L., VANDENBROUCKE, M., & BLACKWOOD, R. (2016). Linguistic landscapes. In: GARCIA, O., SPOTTI, M., & FLORES, N., Oxford Handbook of Language and Society. Oxford, OUP, 423-449.
  • METTEWIE, L., LAMARRE, P., & VAN MENSEL, L. (2012). Clins d’oeil bilingues dans le paysage linguistique de Montréal et Bruxelles: Analyse et illustration de mécanismes parallèles. In: HELOT, C., BARNI, M., JANSSENS, R., & BAGNA, C., Linguistic Landscapes, Multilingualism and Social Change. Bern, Peter Lang, 201-216.
  • MARTEN, H. F., VAN MENSEL, L., & GORTER, D. (2012). Studying Minority Languages in the Linguistic Landscape. In: GORTER, D., MARTEN, H. F. & VAN MENSEL, L., Minority Languages in the Linguistic Landscape. Basingstoke, Palgrave McMillan, 1-18.
  • VAN MENSEL, L., & DARQUENNES, J. (2012). All is Quiet on the Eastern Front? Language Contact along the French-German Language Border in Belgium. In: GORTER, D., MARTEN, H. F. & VAN MENSEL, L., Minority Languages in the Linguistic Landscape. Basingstoke, Palgrave McMillan, 164-182.
  • VAN MENSEL, L., MARTEN, H. F., & GORTER, D. (2012). Minority Languages through the Lens of the Linguistic Landscape. In: GORTER, D., MARTEN, H. F. & VAN MENSEL, L., Minority Languages in the Linguistic Landscape. Basingstoke, Palgrave McMillan, 319-323.
  • HOUSEN A., PIERRARD, M., JANSSENS, S., & VAN MENSEL, L. (2007). The development of reading and listening skills in French and Dutch by Francophone and Dutch-speaking pupils in Brussels. In: Van Looy, L., Coninx, M. & Lochtman, K. Onderwijsonderzoek : redelijk eigenzinnig ?! Brussel: VUBPress, 179-89.
  • VAN MENSEL, L., & JANSSENS, S. (2005). A longitudinal survey of reading and listening skills in French and Dutch of Francophone and Dutch-speaking pupils in Brussels. In: Language, Attitudes & Education in Multilingual Cities. Brussel: KVABWK, 143-52.
  • VAN MENSEL, L., HOUSEN, A., METTEWIE, L., & PIERRARD, M. (2005). Multilinguisme dans l'enseignement néerlandophone à Bruxelles: résultats d'une étude pilote. In: Language, attitudes and education in multilingual cities. Brussel: KVABWK, 133-42.
  • VAN MENSEL, L. (2005). Nederlandse taalvaardigheid van Franstalige leerlingen in het Nederlandstalig onderwijs in Brussel: een longitudinaal onderzoek. In: Brusselse Thema’s 14. Brussel: VUBPress, 277-92.
  • VAN MENSEL, L., HOUSEN, A., & PIERRARD, M. (2004). Taalvaardigheid van Nederlandstalige en Franstalige leerlingen in het Nederlandstalig secundair onderwijs in Brussel. In: Brusselse Thema’s 12. Brussel: VUBPress, 67-110.


  • Luk Van Mensel has been invited to give presentations at, and has organized many national and international conferences and colloquia.


  • Reviewer for book proposals
  • Reviewer for edited volumes
  • Reviewer for scientific journals
  • Reviewer for Multilingua (De Gruyter, 2022)
  • Reviewer for Language Matters (Taylor & Francis, 2021)
  • Reviewer for Language and Communication (Elsevier, 2021)
  • Reviewer for Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development (Taylor & Francis, 2014, 2019a, 2019b, 2020a, 2020b, 2021, 2022)
  • Reviewer for International Journal of Multilingualism (Taylor & Francis, 2020)
  • Reviewer for Australian Review of Applied Linguistics (John Benjamins, 2018)
  • Reviewer for Frontiers in psychology (2019)
  • Reviewer for International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism (Taylor & Francis, 2013, 2015, 2018)
  • Reviewer for International Journal of the Sociology of Language (De Gruyter, 2014)
  • Reviewer for Language, Culture and Curriculum (Taylor & Francis, 2014)
  • Reviewer for Interdisciplinary Journal of Signage and Wayfinding (2022)


  • LNG415 Globalization, language, and mobility
  • LNG407 Second language acquisition
  • LNG413 Multilingualism in society


  • Member of the AILA Research Network HOLM-ReN
  • Collaborateur scientifique NaLTT, University of Namur (Belgium)
  • Collaborateur scientifique ILC, UCLouvain (Belgium)
  • Founding member of NALTT, Research Institute (University of Namur, Belgium)
  • Member of the Scientific Committee of BRIO (VUB, Belgium)
  • Member of Pluri-LL, Research Centre for Multilingualism (University of Namur, Belgium)
  • Member of TeAMM, research group (UCLouvain, Belgium)
  • Member of ANBF, the Association de néerlandistes de Belgique francophone
Luk Van Mensel