ERIC Number: EJ1225902
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1747-7506
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Opening Ideological and Implementational Spaces for Multilingual/Plurilingual Policies and Practices in Education: A Snapshot of Scholarly Activism in Pakistan
Manan, Syed Abdul; David, Maya Khemlani; Channa, Liaquat Ali
Current Issues in Language Planning, v20 n5 p521-543 2019
The study proposes that Critical Multilingual Language Awareness (CMLA) can be deployed as a productive theoretical construct for scholarly activism in a country such as Pakistan where multilingualism and linguistic diversity have historically been seen as problems than assets in education. We illustrate that such activism can transform orientations and deconstruct myths/misconceptions about bi/multilingual/plurilingual education as research suggests greater public glorification of the dominant languages such as English and Urdu vis-à-vis native languages. Given the subtractive linguistic ecology, this paper explores how prevailing orientations about native languages can be neutralized and positively transformed. The study suggests how scholars/researchers or activists can create 'ideological and implementational spaces' [Hornberger, N. H. (2003). "Continua of biliteracy: An ecological framework for educational policy, research, and practice in multilingual settings." Clevedon: Multilingual Matters; Hornberger, N. H. (2016). Researching the continua of biliteracy. In K. King, Y.-J. Lai, & S. May (Eds.), "Research methods in language and education" (pp. 1-18). Cham: Springer International] for multiple languages, literacies, and identities in classroom, community, and society. The participants were students of Bilingualism course enrolled for MPhil program in a public sector university in Pakistan. Data were analyzed through the constructs of critical applied linguistics and Critical Multilingual Language Awareness (CMLA) [García, O. (2017). Critical multilingual language awareness and teacher education. In J. Cenoz, D. Gorter, & S. May (Eds.), "Language awareness and multilingualism" (pp. 263-280). Cham: Springer International Publishing]. The study shows that lack of critical awareness and education primarily causes disinterest in bi/multilingual/plurilingual. Findings suggest that exposure to critical scholarship, and sensitization about the value of bi/multilingual/plurilingual education and linguistic/cultural diversity can create spaces, and impact significant theoretical, ideological/political and implementational transformations.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Multilingualism, Metalinguistics, Urdu, English, Native Language, Bilingualism, Activism, Language Planning, Language Attitudes, Language of Instruction, Universities, Womens Education, Student Attitudes, College Students
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Pakistan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A