In this paper we will present the main principles behind language planning in the Ikastolas (Basque medium Schools), where a plurilingual school model has been developed as a way of promoting minority languages in a globalised world. We will start by contextualising the Ikastolas' language policy, briefly tracing their history from their…

This is a small scale, inductive, ethnographic study whose objective is to explore the language learning strategies used by the students of different languages at a language program at the university level. Students of English, French, Portuguese, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and German participate in the study. Three instruments are used…

Student performance in basic math and reading skills in the United States trails behind other developed countries, providing the rationale for more research to determine how performance might be improved. Following evidence to conclude that multilingualism enhances cognitive, neuro-linguistic and meta-linguistic development, it is proposed that…

This paper begins by looking at responses to Bernstein in Germany in the 1970s that criticized his notions of class difference in sociolinguistic codes. As part of a re-examination of Bernstein's ideas, the paper goes on to look at the current communicative situation in German education where urban schools have many second-generation immigrant…

Despite the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) government's determination to implement the "mother tongue education" policy amid strong social resistance one year after the handover, English remains a prestigious language in society. The need for Putonghua (Mandarin/Standard Chinese) is also increasing following ever-expanding…

The data discussed in this paper is drawn from research conducted in a multilingual urban primary school in Johannesburg, South Africa, where the official language of instruction is English and the majority of learners are African language speakers, frequently with very limited English proficiency. The paper presents a case study of one child who…

A discussion of education in New Hebrides, where many different languages are spoken. (HB)

The 16 papers presented in this volume are arranged according to three sub-topics of the general theme of second language instruction: individual needs, interdisciplinary cooperation, and multilingualism. The first paper in each section is the main lecture, which is followed by specialized lectures. (JB)

Argues that objective conditions are always interacting with widespread "subjective definitions" to explain the variable capacities of linguistic minorities. Looks at the hypothesis formed by Giles, Bourhis, and Taylor in their theory of language in ethnic group relations as it relates to the multilingual context of the Valdotan…

This paper situates languages in the framework of European construction, analyzing problems resulting from the definition of languages' official status in the European Union (EU) juridical system. It explains that the process of European construction is historically defined by means of two distinct features (it is an open process, and at the same…

Provides a brief overview of the main methodological tools used in studies of language attitudes, focusing on the paradigm of speaker evaluation. Discusses the kinds of findings emerging from these studies and speculates on priorities for future language attitude research. (EKN)

Discusses the importance of research on language attitudes, especially in a multilingual situation and gives examples of recent research. (EKN)

Describes "Radio Rurale": A language-by-radio service provided to the rural population of Upper Volta by the Voltain government. The service is responsible for carrying programs to the 44 different subgroups of Volta in seventeen indigenous languages. Programs include radio magazines, game shows, chronicles, and special cultural…

Argues that linguists have marginalized multilingualism and neglected the complexities of multilinguals' language behavior, being reluctant to modify, reformulate, or reassess favorite paradigms of language acquisition, linguistic creativity, language function, and language contact. Three resulting "paradigms of marginality" are…