Transcript Trilingual schooling in Friesland (Netherlands) Dr. Alex Riemersma 5 december 2009 Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning www.mercator-research.eu.

Trilingual schooling in
Friesland (Netherlands)
Dr. Alex Riemersma
5 december 2009
Mercator European Research Centre on
Multilingualism and Language Learning
www.mercator-research.eu
Introduction
• Frisian in the Netherlands
• Frisian in primary education
Status & developments
• Trilingual schooling
Model, results & developments
Frisian in Fryslân (Netherlands)
• Autochthonous minority language
• Western Germanic language
• Spoken in one province (of 12) of the
Netherlands: Fryslân
• Fryslân has 640,000 inhabitants
• 55% has Frisian as mother tongue
Frisian Language Command
100
94
74
75
65
50
25
0
17
understand
speak
read
write
Status of Frisian
• Unique minority language in
homogeneous linguistic area
• Recognised in the European Charter –
part III + 48 undertakings
• Recognised second official language of
the Netherlands
• Ambition: development of cultural
language on equal footing with Dutch
Europe and Fryslân
• Fitting in EU policy towards:
- linguistic diversity
- mother tongue + 2 more languages
• Frisian as a good example in Europe:
- multilingualism of the individual citizen
and of the society
• Pupils feel at ease:
at home, at school, in society, abroad
Language planning of Frisian
• “Endangered language” (Unesco level 6):
intergenerational language transmission
• Language planning in key words:
– Capacity / Infrastructure
– Command / Opportunity of language use
– Language will / Attitude
Pupil’s Frisian language use
75
50
49
46
50
45
41
38
35
25
0
parents siblings family
friends
school
clubs
shops
Why multilingual education?
• Cultural heritage maintenance
• Transitional Bilingualism
• Full bilingualism, biliterate
• Cognitive develoipments
• Social developments
• Easier third language acquisition
Development of Frisian
in primary education
•
•
•
•
Legislation
Frisian as a subject
Medium of instruction
Model of trilingual schooling
Legislation
• 1907
• 1937
• 1955
• 1980
After school time
Optional subject (higher grades)
Optional medium of instruction
(lower grades)
Compulsory subject (all pupils)
Optional medium of instruction
(all grades)
Frisian as subject
in primary schools
• Compulsory as a subject since 1980
– Attainment targets differentiate between
Frisian mother-tongue speakers and pupils
with Frisian as a second language
– Minimum 1 hour / week
– Attitude, understanding, reading
– Little differentiation
Frisian as a subject
• Complaints about:
- time investment
- bad results
- lack of differentiation
- lack of continuity
- quality of teachers
Prejudice on Frisian in education
• Frisian as a mother tongue has negative
influence on:
- language command of Dutch;
- achievement of artihmetic.
• Research is on going, but does not
confirm the prejudices
Frisian as language of instruction
• 50% of schools use Frisian as language of
instruction – “Frisian Day” / “Afternoon”
• Mostly in arts and physical education
• Substantial differences between schools
• School radio / school television
• Trilingual schooling
•
Trilingual Schooling - 1
• Model:
Grade 1-6: 50% Dutch; 50% Frisian
• Grade 7-8:
40% Dutch; 40% Frisian; 20% English
• Results:
- Dutch at same level other pupils
- Frisian much better
- English more fluent and with confidence
Trilingual Schooling - 2
• Developments:
- 2009: 28 primary schools
- 2012: 50 primary schools (= 10%)
- 2030: 250 primary schools (= 50%)
• “Early English” (grade 5; grade 1)
• Native speakers as class room assistants
Trilingual Schooling - 3
Challenges:
• Secondary education:
- Continuity of learning & teaching
- English and Frisian as subject & medium
- Language command > CEFR – B2
Trilingual Schooling - 4
Challenges:
• Teacher training:
- language command of English & Frisian
(+ certificate)
- trilingual stream in teacher training
- didactic approach / CLIL
Trilingual Schooling in Europe
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Vaasa – Finland
Basque Country – Spain
North – Frisia – Germany
Luxembourg
Ladinia – Italy
Catalonia - Spain
Carinthia - Austria
Network of Schools
Köszönöm
• Eskerrik asko
Tankewol
• Grazia
• Mercé plan
• Dankscheen
• Graciis
• Kiitos
• Diolch
• Dz'akuju so
• Hvala
• Trugarez
• Spassi Ba
• Mange Takk
• Multumesc