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Frisian & the Charter

Frisian & the Charter. Alex RIEMERSMA Gdansk, 12 September 2008 Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning www.mercator-research.eu. Overview. Frisian language command & position Charter as stimulus 1-5 Frisian in Charter: education

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Frisian & the Charter

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  1. Frisian & the Charter Alex RIEMERSMA Gdansk, 12 September 2008 Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning www.mercator-research.eu

  2. Overview • Frisian language command & position • Charter as stimulus 1-5 • Frisian in Charter: education • Strengthening legal position

  3. Frisian in the Netherlands • West-Germanic language,related to English and German • Related to North-Frisian and Sater-Frisian in Germany

  4. Frisian language • Ik haw west - I have been • Ik ben geweest – Ich bin gewesen • Tsiis – cheese • Kaas - Käse • Tsjerke – church • Kerk – Kirche • Twa skiep – two sheep

  5. Frisian language command • 54 % Mothertongue • 94 % Understanding • 74 % Speaking • 65 % Reading • 26 % Writing

  6. Legal position • No article in Constitution • No Frisian Language Act • Patchwork of Legal provisions • Framework Convention (2005) • European Charter RMLs (1996): 48 undertakings from part III

  7. Charter as stimulus - 1 • 1992: Netherlands among the first 12 to sign the Charter • 1996: Netherlands among the first 5 to ratify; 48 undertakings from part III • 1998: Charter into force • 1998: Consulting Body – art. 7.4: “convey needs and wishes”

  8. Charter as stimulus - 2 • Common responsibility of national and regional authorities • Periodical reports (every 3 years) • Committee of experts: on the spot visits • Recommendations of the Council of Europe to national government

  9. Charter as stimulus - 3 • Key words: “protect & promote” • Programmatic approach: - implementation - improvement- additional signature of undertakings • NGO & Public debate in European perspective

  10. Charter as stimulus - 4 • National government = Treaty partner • National government to hold obligations,also in case of devolvement / delegation of authority to regional level • National language policy

  11. Charter as stimulus - 5 • Upgrading of recognition of Lower Saxon in the Netherlands:* from part II > part III • Lower German in some “Länder” in Germany in part II (general objectives) + a few undertakings from part III

  12. Frisian in media • Radio: 6.00 – 23.00 hrs • TV: 2 hours with re-run • 1994, 1 hour ‘regional’ broadcasting ‘full programme’ by 2011 • No newspapers

  13. Frisian in education • Primary school and secondary education: obligatory subject,optional use medium of instruction • No prescribed time • Weak in teacher training • Weak position in inspection

  14. Frisian in the European Charter • Article 8b ii – primary education“substantial part of lessons”evaluation by Comex: not fulfilled;Comex urges the Dutch government … • Article 8c iii – secondary education“integral part of curriculum”evaluation by Comex: not fulfilled;Comex urges the Dutch government …

  15. Trilingual schooling • Grades 1-6: 50% Dutch; 50%Frisian • Grades 7-8:40% Dutch; 40% Frisian; 20% English • Developments towards: “Early English” & Trilingual secondary education

  16. Actions towards legislation • Pressure in public debate on: • Strengthening legislation for Frisian in education: time, longitudinality & quality • Umbrella language act for Frisian • Frisian in Netherlands’ constitution

  17. Eskerrik asko Tankewol Köszönöm • Grazia • Mercé plan • Dankscheen • Graciis • Kiitos • Diolch • Dz'akuju so • Hvala • Thank you • Mange Takk • Trugarez • Multumesc

  18. Mercator Report on Minimum Standards on education in RMLs • On request of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CLRAE) • Recommendations to the Council of Ministers of the Council of Europe

  19. CEFR & RMLs • Council of Europe:Common European Framework of Reference (2001) • Instrument for the comparative description of language command

  20. Themes of analysis • Educational goals & models • Time spent • Teaching materials • Teacher training • Inspectorate • Legal position

  21. Challenges for teacher training • Quality & quantity • Special training for multilingual situations • More education aimed at multilingualism • Stress on proficiency in more languages • CEFR to be linked to core goals • Certificates & Diploms!

  22. CEFR – further developments • European Language Portfolio = Documentation on individual level • Dialang: language tests • PISA • Result: common minimum standards

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