New Media foar Multilingualism: Practice and Research Questions

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Mercator’s activities • Research • Publications & databases • Network of Schools • Conferences & seminars • Projects • Q&A service

6. 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

7. Early Language Learning MELT Project • Products: • Brochure forparents • Guide for pre-school practitioners • Research paper • Local awareness raising events • Closing conference

8. 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

9. Research themes with the Basque Country • Added value of Multilingualism and Multilingual Education • The Multilingual Classroom • The Cultural Dimension in School Curricula

10. Publications • Research reports • Articles • Newsletters • Regional dossiers series • - > 40 language descriptions • - Update every 5-8 years • - Online available

11. 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

12. www.networkofschools.eu

13. European Networks • Mercator Network (LEARNMe) • EUNoM: The European Universities’ Network on Multilingualism • Civil Society Platform on Multilingualism (Poliglotti4.eu) • Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity

14. 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 Events in 2013

15. Study Visits

16. Education in Fryslân Visit Kazakh delegation February 2010

17. 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

18. 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

19. Reinier Salverda • Philosophical principles • EU policy and means • Concrete actions and best practice

20. European Perspective • European Union • - Lisbon treaty: EU shall respect diversity in religion, culture & language • - Communication on Multilingualism (M+2) • Council of Europe • - CRMLS • - FCNM

21. 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)

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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)

25. Conclusions

26. gευχαριστώ Nvalalepa Thank you Tige tank • Eskerrikasko Köszönöm • Grazia • Mercé plan • Dankscheen • Graciis • Kiitos • Diolch • Dźakujuso • Spassi Ba • Hvala • Multumesc • Mange Takk • Trugarez www.mercator-research.eu For further information: www.fryske-akademy.nl