Lublin, September 2011 Mercator, a gateway to Europe and beyond International Conference on “National, Ethnic and Language Minorities in the European Union” Cor van der Meer Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning

Overview Fryslân Frisian Language Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning

Visit Chinese delegation, November 2010

Early Middle ages Late Middle ages Today Fryslân in history

Well-known outside Fryslân

Frisian as First Language

Frisian Language Command 54 % Mother tongue 94 % Understanding 74 % Speaking 65 % Reading 26 % Writing

The Frisian case (1)  The Netherlands ratified the European Charter in provisions under part III signed for Frisian only.  The Framework Convention went into force in Frisian is the only national minority language.

The Frisian case (2) Education:  At primary school level Frisian is an obligatory subject.  Substantial part in primary education and integral part of secondary education.

The Frisian case (3) However  Actual time spent on Frisian is minutes a week;  61% of the teachers are not qualified to teach the language;  The attainment goals are not measured by the Dutch Inspectorate of Education.

Visit SPLIKA, december 2010

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

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

Mercator Research Centre : Documentation and Information Centre. Funded by the European Union onwards, transition into: Information and Research Centre. Funded by the Province of Fryslân and the municipality of Ljouwert/Leeuwarden.

Mercator’s activities Research Publications & databases Network of Schools Newsletters Conferences & seminars Advisory role

Themes Levels of Aggregation A: (Intra-) IndividualB: Inter-Individual (Social)C: Organizational I Mastery of Language & Language Acquisition 1 - Differences between RML and IML - Conditions of Language acquisition - Language Testing - Standardization of Language tests - Pupil follow systems - Reading skills - Language loss - Didactical competences 2 - Use of new technologies in Language Learning: - E-learning - Distant learning - Didactics 3 Not foreseen II Stimulating and Improving Multilingualism 4 Not foreseen 5 - Role models - Language attitude - Interaction between RML and IML speakers - Position and function of media - Language Survey Fryslân - Immersion 6 - Language policy - International comparison policy- Minimum standards RML language learning - Euro barometer III Added Value of Multilingualism 7 Not foreseen 8 - International comparison social status RML en IML - Socio–economical value - Language vitality index 9 Not foreseen Research Matrix

Fields of research Added value of multilingualism and multilingual education. New technologies; distant language (and culture) learning. Application of the CEFR and the ELP in Europe. Informal learning and promotion of reading in families & households.

Research Reports Development of Minimum Standards for RML education Use of the CEFR and ELP in RML education Comparative studies Study on the devolvement of legislative power to regional authorities Trilingual Education in Europe

Articles Newsletters Regional dossiers series - 40 language descriptions - Update every 5-8 years - Online available Publications

Structured contents 1Introduction 2Pre-school education 3Primary education 4Secondary education 5Vocational education 6Higher education 7Adult education 8Educational research 9Prospects 10Summary of statistics Education System in …. References and further reading Useful addresses

Network of Schools > 90 members > 30 language communities 15 EU member states News bulletins Website: - teaching materials - projects

Conferences 2011 / April: International conference “Languages of the Wider World” 2011 May: Expert seminar “Cultural Education and Civil Society: how can languages contribute?” 2011 Sept 30 / October 1: Mercator Network seminar on “Languages and Legislation” in Barcelona Soon: International Expert Seminar on “Early Language Learning” 2012: June 20 – 23; International Conference on Language and Social Psychology

Projects Mercator Network of Language Diversity Centres MELT: Multilingual Early Language Transmission EUNoM: The European Universities’ Network on Multilingualism More Languages, More Opportunities Added Value of Multilingualism

Mercator Research Centre - “lead partner” 4 Partner institutes: Aberystwyth – University of Wales Barcelona – Ciemen Budapest – Hungarian Academy of Sciences Eskilstuna (Sweden) – Mälardalen University

Partnerships / co-operation Network for the Promotion of Linguistic Diversity in Cardiff European University Network on Multilingualism in Barcelona European Centre for Modern Languages in Graz Civil Society Platform on Multilingualism Regional authorities

Visit SPLIKA, december 2010

Köszönöm Haristo Mersi dit Tak Danke Hvala Teşekkür ederim Dzãczi Thank you Tige tank Ful toank