Rezekne, 26 March 2008 Fryslân and the Mercator Research Centre Cor van der Meer 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

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Well-known outside Fryslân

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taalkaart

Rezekne, 26 March 2008 Linguistic knowledge (census) Understand9794 Speak Read6965 Write121117

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

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

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 - 1st and 2nd 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 1971Examination in Frisian language is allowed if pupils choose the subject Several experiments 1993 Obligatory in first two grades from 1998 Projects in several upper grades

Rezekne, 26 March TS Trilingual School Start of project on 7 schools Grades 1 – 5 (4 – 9 years old) 50% Frisian / 50% Dutch Grades 6 – 8 ( 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 languages -more feeling for other cultures

Rezekne, 26 March 2008 Results Trilingual School 26th of September 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 Documentation and information Research and publications Databases Network of Schools Conferences Website Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning

Rezekne, 26 March 2008 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

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

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Eskerrik asko Moltes gràcies Diolch Tankewol Trugarez Grazia Graciis Go raibh maith agaibh Dankscheen Mercé plan Giitus Dz'akuju so Köszönöm Hvala Multumesc Thank you