Multilingualism in Europe, policy and some case studies Cor van der Meer Mercator European Research...

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)

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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

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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

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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)

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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