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Multilingualism in Europe, policy and some case studies. Cor van der Meer Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning Fryske Akademy Conference Kazakhstan 16-17 April, 2013. Overview.
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Multilingualism in Europe, policy and some case studies Cor van der Meer Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning Fryske Akademy Conference Kazakhstan 16-17 April, 2013
Overview • Fryslân and the Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning • Multilingualism in Europe • Some case studies
Frisian in Fryslân (Netherlands) • Autochthonous minority language • Western Germanic language • Fryslân has 640,000 inhabitants • 55% has Frisian as mother tongue (= 350.000 speakers) • BUT: Frisian is successful as second language: • 65% can read Frisian; • 74% can speak Frisian; • 94% comprehends Frisian.
Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning • Platform in Europe and beyond • Information/documentation and Research Centre. • Funded by the Province of Fryslân and the municipality of Ljouwert/Leeuwarden.
Mercator’s activities • Research • Publications & databases • Network of Schools • Conferences & seminars • Projects • Q&A service
Fields of research • Added value of multilingualism and multilingual education. • New technologies; distant language (and culture) learning. • Application of the CEFR and the ELP in Europe. • Informal learning and promotion of reading in families & households.
Publications • Research reports • Articles • Newsletters • Regional dossiers series • - > 40 language descriptions • - Update every 5-8 years • - Online available
Projects • Mercator Network of Language Diversity Centres • MELT: Multilingual Early Language Transmission • EUNoM: The European Universities’ Network on Multilingualism • More Languages, More Opportunities • Added Value of Multilingualism • Language Rich Europe • Poliglotti4.eu
European Values • Non discrimination • Mutual respect & understanding • Right on Education in mother tongue
European Perspective • European Union • - Lisbon treaty: EU shall respect diversity in religion, culture & language • - Communication on Multilingualism (M+2) • Council of Europe • - CRMLS • - FCNM
Context • Multilingualism is a declared goal of the European Commission • Barcelona goal: mother tongue + 2 foreign languages • There are many activities in the field of multilingualism • Strategic framework for European co-operation in Education and Training (ET 2020)
Reference document of the European Commission • The Council conclusions for European co-operation in Education and Training ("ET 2020") • New skills for new jobs • New technologies, innovation and creativity • Key skills – computers, reading, maths, natural sciences • Early leavers from education and training, immigrants, learners with special needs
ET 2020 – 4 STRATEGIC GOALS • Realise lifelong learning and mobility • Improve quality and efficiency of education and training • Promote equality, social cohesion and active citizenship • Promote innovation and creativity – including entrepreneurial spirit – at all levels of education and training
INDICATORS AND BENCHMARKS UNTIL 2020 • Part of early leavers from education and training should be <10% • At least 95% of children aged between 4 and the legal school entrance age should get a preschool education • Pay special attention to: mobility, employability, foreign language acquisition (mother tongue + 2)
Why bilingual education? • Right on education in mother tongue • Pedagogical development • Social integration • Cultural participation • Language maintenance
European languages State languages: English, Spanish, French, Dutch Immigrant minority languages: Turkish, Arabic Sign languages Regional or minority languages Unique Minority Languages Minority Languages with a kin-state
Education in Fryslân Visit Kazakh delegation February 2010
Trilingual education in Fryslân (1) • Model used: • - Group 1-6: 50 % Frisian, 50 % Dutch • - Group 7-8: 40 % Frisian, 40 % Dutch, 20% English • Systematic use of Frisian, Dutch and English as a medium of instruction. • Interactive language education
Trilingual education in Fryslân (2) • Results: • - Good quality of Frisian • - Results of Dutch at the same level at the end of grade 8 as all other pupils in the Netherlands • - Results for English slightly better, but not significantly
Education in the Basque Country Percentage of pupils in the three language school models (Gorter & Cenoz, 2011)
Frisian and Basque compared • Both receive legal support • Both have problems in the production of educational materials • Limited availability of qualified teachers • Effects of Globalisation: immigration, tourism, new technologies of communication (social media) • Strong demand for English from parents
Unique and Cross-border languages • Differences: Orientation and possibly in tensions • Similarities in ambitions: Peaceful, mutual respect • Every child: two mother tongues +2
Cross border languages • German in Italy • Teacher training • Teaching materials, • Only partly shared with • kin states
Good Practice • Swedish in Finland • Teacher Training • Teaching material • Good co-operation
Recommendations • Two mother tongue education • Two-way language learning • Common minimum European standards • Receptive bi-lingualism • A-symmetry in conversation • Devolvement of power • Explore new ICT technologies
Conclusions • Same problem area’s everywhere • There is no overall solution • There are good practices available • New opportunities with ICT • If you need more information, please visit our website www.mercator-research.eu
www.mercator-research.eu mercator@fryske-akademy.nl Mersi dit Tak Danke Thank you Dzãczi Haristo Tige tank Hvala Teşekkür ederim Köszönöm Ful toank