Transcript Alex Riemersma Mercator Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning / Fryske Akademy Amsterdam, 15 Maart 2011

Alex Riemersma
Mercator Research Centre on Multilingualism and
Language Learning / Fryske Akademy
Amsterdam, 15 Maart 2011
Since 1987-2006:
• Mercator Research Centre / Fryske Akademy,
Ljouwert / Leeuwarden (Fryslân, Netherlands)
• Aberystwyth University, Wales
• Ciemen, Barcelona
Since 2009-2011: in addition
• Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest
• Mälardalen University, Eskilstuna (Sweden)
Long tradition of preparation
and
Good relationships
Wider Ideological Background
• European Union
– Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU
– Communication on Multilingualism
• Council of Europe
– European Charter for Regional and Minority
Languages
– Framework Convention for the Protection of
National Minorities
EU Parliament Resolutions
• 1981 Arfé > EBLUL 1982 – 2006;
province of Fryslân active partner always;
(successor: NPLD)
• 1983 Vandenmeulenbroecke (EFAmember) > earmarked budget € 1,2 million
• 1987 Kuijpers > Mercator project
(1987-2006) 3 partners (80 % funding)
Regional Dossiers
• > 40 language descriptions
• Author = local expert
• Update every 5-7 years
• Online available
Mercator Transitional Period
• 2007: “Mainstreaming”
• 2007-2009: funding by
- province of Fryslân &
- municipality of Leeuwarden
• 2007: EU application failed
• 2008: EU application successful
Why Mercator Network got
funding for 2009 - 2011
• Structure is clear
• Work packages carefully shared
• Allocation of budget to the work packages
was more well balanced
• European dimension & relevance
• Target groups & results clearly defined
• Partners have their own focus
Why Mercator Network got funding
Evaluation Report – Award Criteria
• European added value: reference point for
minority and regional Languages at European
level
• Relevance: facilitating European Cooperation
for smaller languages, which lack resources to
function at international level
• Impact: A well defined target group will be
reached by also using sub networks and other
contacts of the partners as multipliers
What we do
Our mission
• Aspects that connect us throughout Europe
→ facilitate structured exchange of best practice
• Data collection & research
• Application of knowledge
• Awareness raising for greater public
→ Benefits of multilingualism for Europe
• Transferability to other language communities: regional
minorities, but also to immigrant or signing communities
What we do
Expected Results
Yearly reports to
• Summarise gathered knowledge /
Detected Knowledge gaps
• Give people opportunity to use and
expand on this knowledge
• Give recommendation for future research
agenda for EU and policy actions
Mercator Network focusses
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Mercator Ljouwert: Education
Mercator Barcelona: Legislation
Mercator Aberystwyth: Media
Mercator Budapest: Sociolinguistics & sign
language
• Mercator Eskilstuna: Language Policy
Education
• 1985 Conference on pre-school provisions
> 1989 Frisian medium pre-school
> 2010: 100 provisions with certification
• 1995 EU policy on M + 2 > 2 M + 2
> trilingual primary school project
> 2010: 30 schools with certification
• Ambition: Trilingual stream at secondary
education and teacher training
•
Trilingual education in Fryslân
• Model used (with flexibility):
- 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
• Concious and strictly separated use of
languages: person / time / themes
• Interactive language education
MELT project (2009-2011)
• Initiated by Network to Promote Linguistic
Diversity (NPLD):
4 partners & 20 associate partners
• EU funded (Comenius)
• Division of tasks (work packages):
- Research activities
- Development schemes & materials
- Dissemination & quality evaluation
- Closing conference (Brussels, 2011)
MELT project (2009-2011)
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Initial problems:
Definition of tasks (wokpackages)
Structuring of consultation
Definition of research activities
Development & evaluation
Cultural differences in management style
Kaart fan NOS
Mercator Network of Schools
• > 90 members
• > 30 language communities
• 15 EU member states
• News bulletins
• Website:
- teaching materials
- projects
Culture
• 2001 European Year of Languages
> Frisian poem “Bitterswiet” translated into
82 languages; permanent attention at the
radio broadcasting of Omrop Fryslân
• 1990 Frisian Song Contest “Liet”
> Liet International for European regional
and minority languages as from 2002:
Ljouwert – Östersund – Luleå – Inverness
Before the Application
Where we applied
European Commission
→ Executive Agency – Education,
Audiovisual & Culture (EACEA)
→ Education and Training → Lifelong
Learning Programme
Before the Application
General Considerations
• Choose your partners well
• Start on time - Think of a pre-proposal
• Learn from others → Cooperation with
other Institutes and Networks
• Do not write the application alone
• Let someone experienced check the
proposal
• Ask a consultant in Brussels / regional
authority / University (people with
experience) where exactly to apply
Management aspects:
- keep on time
- keep on tasks / deliverables
- recording of costs / budget
- control yourself & the
partners by looking back into
the application
- prepare meetings in due time
- take minutes of all meetings
- never forget about the fun &
personal aspects of cooperation
Köszönöm
Tankewol !
Eskerrik asko
Mercé plan
Grazia
Graciis
Giitus
Diolch
Dankscheen
Hvala
Thank you
Dz'akuju so
Trugarez
Multumesc
Go raibh maith agaibh
Moltes gràcies
www.mercator-network.eu