Current Policy Issues in Early Foreign Language Learning
Keywords:
early language learning, language policy, “soft” policy
Abstract
The development of policy in relation to language learning at the early primary level of schooling has received only limited attention in the literature on policy studies in general, and within the framework of an emerging education policy space across Europe specifically. This paper offers an introductory discussion of the growth of education policy in Europe,
identifying the extent to which the histories of national language policies are being re-shaped by the rise of numerical data and comparison within a newly-formed European education space. A summary review of key measures of particular relevance to early language learning illustrates the scale of “soft” policy mechanisms now available as tools in an on-going
process of shaping, adapting and refining policy in response to the continuously shifting language priorities that arise particularly during periods of economic instability. This paper draws on key themes from a transnational, longitudinal study of early language learning in Europe to discuss the extent to which implementation in schools has so far been moulded
by a plethora of recommendations, reports and indicators formulated in response to the step change in policy development that has occurred since the publication of the Lisbon Strategy (2000).
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References
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Rindler Schjerve, R., & Vetter, E. (2012). European Multilingualism. Current perspectives and
challenges. Bristol, UK: Multilingual Matters.
Vilke, M. (2007). English in Croatia – A glimpse into past, present and future. Metodika, 8(14), 17–24.
Apeltauer, E., & Hoppenstedt, G. (2010). Meine Sprache als Chance – Handbuch zur Förderung der Mehrsprachigkeit. Troisdorf, Germany: Bildungsverlag E1ns.
Burstall, C., Jamieson, M., Cohen, S., & Hargreaves, M. (1974). Primary French in the Balance. Slough, UK: NFER Publishing Co.
Cha, Y. K., & Ham, S. H. (2008). The impact of English on the school curriculum. In B. Spolsky & F.
Hult (Eds.), The handbook of educational linguistics (pp. 313–328). London: Blackwell.
Commission of the European Communities (2003). Communication from the Commission to
the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the
Committee of the Regions: Promoting Language Learning and Linguistic diversity: An Action Plan 2004–2006. COM (2003) 449 final. Retreived 2.8. 2012 from http://ec.europa.eu/education/doc/official/keydoc/actlang/act_lang_en.pdf
Commission of the European Communities (2007). Report of the High Level Group on
Multilingualism Council of Europe. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European
Communities.
Commission of the European Communities (2008). Communication from the Commission to
the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the
Committee of the Regions. An updated strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training.COM (2008) 566 final. Retreived from http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learningpolicy/doc/com865_en.pdf
Council of Europe (2001). Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning,
teaching, assessment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Council of Europe (2007). Guide for the development of language education policies in Europe.
Strasbourg: CoE. Language Policy Division.
Edelenbos, P., Johnstone, R., & Kubanek, A. (2006). The main pedagogical principles underlying the teaching of languages to very young learners, languages for the children of Europe, Published Research, Good practice & main principles. London: European Commission.
Enever, J. (2011a). Plurilingualism? Have language-in-education policies in Europe delivered
the promise? [Plurilingüismo? Han cumplido lo prometido las politicas europeas de education
lingüistica?] In P. Powell-Davies (Ed.), Word for Word. The social, economic and political impact of Spanish and English [Palabra por palabra. El impact social, economic y politico del español y del inglés]. España: Instituto Cervantes/British Council.
Enever, J. (Ed.) (2011b). ELLiE. Early Language Learning in Europe. London UK: British Council.
Retreived 10.5.2012 from http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/publications/early-language-learningeurope
Enever, J., Moon, J., & Raman, U. (Eds.) (2009). Young Learner English Language Policy and
Implementation: international Perspectives. UK: Garnet Education.
European Commission (2006). Lifelong Learning Programme: Part I – Priorities of the 2007 general call for proposals. Key Activity1: Policy Cooperation and Innovation. Brussels: Commission of the European Communities.
European Commission (2011). Policy Handbook. Language learning at pre-primary school:
making it efficient and sustainable. Retreived 2.8.2012 from http://ec.europa.eu/languages/orphans/background-documents_en.htm
European Commission (2009). Piccolingo campaign on early language learning. Retreived 2.8.2012 from http://ec.europa.eu/languages/news/20091002-kick-off-of-the-piccolingo-campaign-on-earlylanguage-learning_en.htm
European Commission (2012). SurveyLang. European Survey on Language Competencies. Brussels: European Commission.
Eurydice Network (2005, 2008, 2012). Eurydice: Key data on teaching languages at schools in Europe.
Brussels: Commission of the European Communities. Retrieved 30.10.2012 from http://eacea.
ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice/key_data_en.php
Gamble, C., & Smalley, A. (1975). Primary French in the balance – ‘Were the scales accurate?’ Journal of Modern Languages, 94(7), 4-97.
Jessop, B. (2008). The Knowledge-based economy. Naked Punch, 10, 2. Retreived 2.8.2012 from http://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/1007/
Johnstone, R. (2009) An early start: What are the key conditions for generalized success? In J.
Enever, J. Moon & U. Raman (Eds.), Young Learner English Language Policy and Implementation:
International Perspectives (pp. 31-42). Reading, UK: Garnet Education
Lange, B., & Alexiadou, N. (2007). New forms of European Union governance in the education
sector? A preliminary analysis of the Open Method of Coordination. European Educational Research Journal, 6(4), 321–335.
Lange, B., & Alexiadou, N. (2010). Policy learning and governance of education policy in the EU.
Journal of Education Policy, 25(4), 443–463.
Lawn, M., & Grek, S. (2012). Europeanizing Education. Oxford, UK: Symposium Books.
Lo Bianco, J. (2009). ‘Second languages and Australian schooling’. Melbourne: ACER. Australian
education review, 54.
Malouf, A. (2008). Report from the Group of Intellectuals for Intercultural Dialogue. Brussels:
European Commission. Retreived 2.8.2012 from http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/lang/doc/maalouf/report_en.pdf
Martyniuk, W. (2007). Forum for Progress. EL Gazette, (328), 23.
Mihaljevic Djigunovic, J. (2012). Early EFL learning in context – Evidence from a country case study.
ELT Research Papers 12–05. London, UK: British Council. Retrieved 30.10.2012 from http://www.
teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/B376%20ELTRP%20Report%20-%20ELLiE%20v8.pdf
Mihaljevic Djigunovic, J., & Vilke, M. (2000). Eight Years After: Wishful Thinking vs Facts of Life.
In J. Moon & M. Nikolov (Eds.), Research into Teaching English to Young Learners (pp. 66–86). Pecs, Hungary: University Press, Pecs.
Munoz, C. (Ed.) (2006). Age and the rate of Foreign Language Learning. Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters.
Nikolov, M., & Mihaljevic Djigunovic, J. (2006). ‘Recent research on age, second language
acquisition, and early foreign language learning’. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 26, 234– 260.
OJ 2010 C 83 Charter: Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. 30.03.10, 389-403.
Retreived 2.8.2012 from http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2010:083:0389:0403:EN:PDF
Pépin, I. (2006). The history of European cooperation in education and training: Europe in the making – an example. Luxembourg: Office for official publications of the European Communities.
Rindler Schjerve, R., & Vetter, E. (2012). European Multilingualism. Current perspectives and
challenges. Bristol, UK: Multilingual Matters.
Vilke, M. (2007). English in Croatia – A glimpse into past, present and future. Metodika, 8(14), 17–24.
Published
2012-09-30
Section
FOCUS
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