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
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
1870 1890 1910 1930 1950 1970 1990 2000
Fries Nederlands
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 1998. 48 provisions under part III signed for Frisian only.
The Framework Convention went into force in 2005. 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 30-45 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
1987-2006:
• Documentation and Information Centre.
• Funded by the European Union.
2007 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-) Individual B: Inter-Individual (Social) C: Organizational
IMastery 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
3Not foreseen
IIStimulating and
Improving Multilingualism
4Not 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
IIIAdded Value of
Multilingualism
7Not foreseen
8- International comparison
social status RML en IML
- Socio–economical value- Language vitality index
9Not 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
• 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
www.networkofschools.eu
www.networkofschools.org
Network of Schools
• > 90 members
• > 30 language communities
• 15 EU member states
• News bulletins
• Website:
- teaching materials
- projects
Conferences 2011 / 2012• 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
www.mercator-research.euwww.mercator-research.eumercator@fryske-akademy.nl
Köszönöm
Haristo
Mersi dit
Tak Danke
HvalaTeşekkür ederim
Dzãczi
Thank you
Tige tank
Ful toank