Language contestation in Vanuatu’s education system Fiona Willans

The focus of this presentation ... ... the Government of Vanuatu’s aspiration for L2+L3 ‘bilingualism’, using snapshots from Ministry of Education documents an ethnographic case study of two secondary schools and

Population: 240,000 109 languages Official languages: English, French & Bislama (pidgin) 1906-1980 Joint British & French rule Dual-medium education system Medium of instruction is English or French French or English is taught as a subject

Clarification of terminology Anglophone & Francophone – categories exclusive to the domain of education L1 – all languages spoken before/outside school L2 – the language used as medium of instruction L3 – the language taught as a subject

L2+L3 ‘bilingualism’ “There is also virtually unanimous support among ni-Vanuatu for continuing to use both English and French as international languages and media of instruction. This support goes well beyond the wish to preserve the letter of the law as set forth in the Constitution. We believe that our bilingual society in two international languages makes us unique in the Pacific, and almost all of us, from parents in the village to Parliamentarians, perceive cultural and economic reasons for keeping both languages. We share a vision of a bilingual society where all secondary-school graduates will be bilingual and where the need for translation would have decreased dramatically because virtually everyone will be able to understand everyone else, whichever language is being used. As parents, we hope that our children would be fluent in both”. (Education Master Plan 1999:19)

A consistent goal of ‘bilingualism’ “English and French should be used interchangeably where possible in order to create competency in both languages” (Guidelines to principals 1998) “it is the aim of education that every individual, besides knowing his/her mother tongue, will become bi-lingual in English and French” (EFA Action Plan 2004) “Bi-lingualism in English and French is seen as a competitive advantage and a national asset” (Education Sector Strategy 2006) “The principal languages of education should be promoted equally in all classrooms at higher primary, secondary and tertiary levels” (National Language Policy 2006) Objective 14 = “to promote bilingualism in the Vanuatu education system, consistent with the Vanuatu Constitutional requirement that the principal languages of education are English and French” (Education Road Map 2009)

Problems ...

This version of bilingualism ignores L1 L1 encompasses 45 languages at the Anglophone school 11 languages at the Francophone school Bislama is spoken by 100% of students 95% of Anglophone teachers 100% of Francophone teachers 8 of the other languages are spoken by 72% of Anglophone students 96% of Francophone students 80% of Anglophone staff 75% of Francophone staff

Typical (?) patterns of language use for a secondary school using an L2 medium Teacher-student interaction in class Predominantly L2 Student-student interaction in class Predominantly L1 for non-academic interaction (L1/L2 for academic interaction at the Anglophone school) Teacher-student interaction outside class Elements of both L1 and L2 Student-student and teacher-teacher interaction outside class Predominantly L1

Only L2 is needed for academic work Primary school Secondary school L1 Used unofficially Excluded or ignored L2 Medium of instruction in all content subjects 6 periods a week of language study Medium of all assessments L3 – 4 periods a week of language study

Language rules (1): The Anglophone school As a written text: “English and French and/or any other approved languages are the only languages allowed to be used during school terms, in the College compound” As spoken text: No episodes in which other languages sanctioned Reminders not to speak L1 Reminders to speak L2 E.g. (8/4/11) “Reminder for uniform tidiness, punctuality & language use (English)” No mention of L3

Language rules (2): The Francophone school As a written text: [During school days, students should speak French from 6.30 to 12.20, from 13.15 to 15.30, and during study periods. Outside the hours mentioned above and during weekends, students can communicate in other languages of their choice.] As spoken text: Reminders to use L2 (and not L1) on La Journée de la Francophonie (by staff and students) Desirability of an L2-only policy expressed No mention of L3

A long way from L2+L3 ‘bilingualism’ Widely used but there is a feeling that it shouldn’t be Needed for academic success so promoted Rarely used and ignored by school policies The school reality is more like L1+L2 ‘bilingualism’ with an idealisation of L2 ‘monolingualism’ (or two different L2 ‘monolingualisms’)