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
Visit Chinese delegation, November 2010
Well-known outside Fryslân
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.
• Research reports
• Articles
• Newsletters
• Regional dossiers series
- > 40 language descriptions
- Update every 5-8 years
- Online available
Publications
www.networkofschools.eu
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
Study Visits
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)
15
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
16
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
17
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)
18
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
Visit Kazakh delegation February 2010
Education in Fryslân
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
A – Spanish B – Basque & Spanish D – Basque
Primary 10 % 28 % 62 %
Secondary 20 % 28 % 52 %
(Gorter & Cenoz, 2011)
Percentage of pupils in the three language school models
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.euwww.mercator-research.eumercator@fryske-akademy.nl
Köszönöm
Haristo
Mersi ditTak
Danke
HvalaTeşekkür ederim
Dzãczi
Thank you
Tige tank
Ful toank
Top Related