New Media foar Multilingualism: Practice and Research Questions

Reinier Salverda & Cor van der Meer

Fryske Akademy

Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning

Multilingual & Multicultural Communication

SOAS 17 June, 2013

Overview

• Mercator European Research Centre, networks, provisions and resources

• Tri-lingual education in Fryslân

• Policies and strategies for “minority languages” in Europe

• Concrete actions and best practice

Frisian in Fryslân (Netherlands)

• Autochthonous minority language• Western Germanic language• Spoken in one province (out of 12) in the

Netherlands: Fryslân / Friesland • Fryslân has 640,000 inhabitants • 55% has Frisian as mother tongue• School subject and medium of instruction

Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning

• Platform in Europe and beyond

• Regional and Minority languages

• Research & Information/documentation Centre

• Funded by the Province of Fryslân and the municipality of Ljouwert/Leeuwarden

• Co-operation with the Basque country

Mercator’s activities

• Research

• Publications & databases

• Network of Schools

• Conferences & seminars

• Projects

• Q&A service

Fields of Research

• Language Survey Fryslân

• Trends in Policies and Practices for Multilingualism in Europe (LRE)

• New technologies; E-learning & Social media

• Application of the CEFR and the ELP in Europe

• Informal learning and promotion of reading in families & households

• Early Language Learning

Early Language LearningMELT Project

Products:

• Brochure for parents • Guide for pre-school practitioners• Research paper

• Local awareness raising events • Closing conference

EU policy recommendations based on best practices of the four regions

• Necessary to draft a explicit language policy about multilingualism and immersion for minority languages

• Good skills of the pre-school practitioners are required, coached by mentors

• To offer a rich language environment, including enough input of the minority language

Research themes with the Basque Country

• Added value of Multilingualism and Multilingual Education

• The Multilingual Classroom

• The Cultural Dimension in School Curricula

• Research reports

• Articles

• Newsletters

• Regional dossiers series

- > 40 language descriptions

- Update every 5-8 years

- Online available

Publications

Structured Content

• 1 Introduction• 2 Pre-school education• 3 Primary education• 4 Secondary education• 5 Vocational education• 6 Higher education• 7 Adult education• 8 Educational research• 9 Prospects• 10 Summary of statistics• Education System in ….• References and further reading• Useful addresses

www.networkofschools.eu

European Networks

• Mercator Network (LEARNMe)

• EUNoM: The European Universities’ Network on Multilingualism

• Civil Society Platform on Multilingualism (Poliglotti4.eu)

• Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity

Events in 2013

• January 25: Symposium 75th anniversary of the Fryske Akademy and 25th anniversary Mercator

• March 1: Workshop on results LRE in Fryslân

• June 17: Pre-conference Multilingual and Multicultural Communication, London, co-organised with SOAS

• October 23 – 25: European Expert Seminar on the cultural dimension in school curricula

Study Visits

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

Reinier Salverda

• Philosophical principles

• EU policy and means

• Concrete actions and best practice

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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Conclusions

• Eskerrik asko

• Mange Takk

• Diolch

Tige tank

• Trugarez

• Grazia

• Graciis

• Dankscheen • Mercé plan

• Kiitos

• Dźakuju so

Köszönöm

• Hvala • Multumesc• Spassi Ba

Nvala lepaThank you

www.mercator-research.eu For further information:

gευχαριστώ

www.fryske-akademy.nl