Frysln and the Mercator Research Centre Cor van

Fryslân and the Mercator Research Centre Cor van der Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning Fryske Akademy Rezekne, 26 March 2008

Overview • Fryslân • The Frisian language in education – Tri-lingual school project • Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning Rezekne, 26 March 2008

FRISIAN AREA IN 1000 Rezekne, 26 March 2008

Fryslân Rezekne, 26 March 2008

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Well-known outside Fryslân Rezekne, 26 March 2008

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870 taalkaart 3. 200 1. 500 26. 300 342. 000 11. 500 634. 000 Rezekne, 26 March 2008

Linguistic knowledge (census) 1967 1980 1994 Understand 97 94 94 Speak 85 73 74 Read 69 65 65 Write 12 11 17 Rezekne, 26 March 2008

Linguistic Infrastructure Dictionaries Language databank ‘Spell-checker’ Corpus Spoken Frisian Rezekne, 26 March 2008

Media Daily newspapers < 5% Frisian Radio&TV > 80% Frisian www. omropfryslan. nl = all in Frisian Rezekne, 26 March 2008

Frisian in primary education • 1816 – schoolmasters are advised ‘in particular not to tolerate the peasant vernacular’ • 1907 – Province of Friesland provides subsidies / lessons in Frisian outsite school hours • 1937 – clause added to the law / during Dutch language and reading some instruction in Frisian • 1950 – Bilingual trial / 6 -year experiment at nine schools - 1 st and 2 nd class reading and writing - Frisian as subject / medium of instruction • 1955 – change in law, Frisian as medium of instruction is allowed in first three grades • 1980 – obligatory Rezekne, 26 March 2008

Frisian in secondary education 1971 Examination in Frisian language is allowed if pupils choose the subject 1980 -1990 Several experiments 1993 Obligatory in first two grades 1994 from 1998 Projects in several upper grades Rezekne, 26 March 2008

3 TS Trilingual School Start of project on 7 schools Grades 1 – 5 (4 – 9 years old) 50% Frisian / 50% Dutch Grades 6 – 8 (10 -12 years old) 40% Frisian, 40% Dutch + 20% English Rezekne, 26 March 2008

Advantages Trilingual Education - awareness of multilingualism minority language has full respect clear distinction between different languages visibility of languages more feeling for other cultures Rezekne, 26 March 2008

Results Trilingual School 26 th of September 2006 - certificates Results pupils: - much better skills on Frisian - equal results on Dutch - more flair on using English Teachers: - more motivated, more competent - proud of their schools Rezekne, 26 March 2008

Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning • • • Documentation and information Research and publications Databases Network of Schools Conferences Website Rezekne, 26 March 2008

Structured contents • • • • 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 Rezekne, 26 March 2008

Network of schools Rezekne, 26 March 2008

Network of Schools • • • > 60 Members 20 Language communities Newsbulletins Website Teaching materials Projects Rezekne, 26 March 2008

Position within Europe • European Union – Communication on Multilingualism • Council of Europe – European Charter on RML – Framework Convention for the protection of National Minorities • Cooperation and Partnerships – – Mercator centres, EBLUL Network for the Promotion of Linguistic Diversity ECML in Graz, ECMI in Flensburg Regional authorities and institutes Rezekne, 26 March 2008

Mercator conferences 2007 • “Multilingualism and Language Learning: Measurement and good Practice” 10 – 11 May 2007 • “New developments in Basque education in a European perspective” organised in collaboration with the Basque ministry of Education, 7 – 8 November 2007 • “The future of European policy towards Multilingualism and Language Learning”, 21 – 23 November 2007 Rezekne, 26 March 2008

Conferences in 2008 • • April, regional thematic seminar May, Basque seminar in Ljouwert September, FEL conference in Ljouwert December, Frisian philology conference Rezekne, 26 March 2008

Cooperation and other events • March, visit and presentation Scots Language Centre • April, visit EU commissioner Orban • May, conference organisation for 10 years Charter for RML • October, conference organisation in Moldava Rezekne, 26 March 2008

Fields of Research • The added value of multilingualism and multilingual education • New developments in multilingual education in Europe • Application of the CEFR and the ELP in Europe • Informal learning and promotion of reading in families & households Rezekne, 26 March 2008

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www. mercator-research. eu cvdmeer@fa. knaw. nl • Eskerrik asko Tankewol Köszönöm • Grazia • Mercé plan • Dankscheen • Graciis • Giitus • Diolch • Dz'akuju so • Hvala • Thank you • Trugarez • Go raibh maith agaibh • Moltes gràcies • Multumesc Rezekne, 26 March 2008