Multilingual teaching
[Summary generated by ChatGPT] Overview: This issue of Babylonia focuses on multilingual teaching in Switzerland, with a particular emphasis on immersion and bilingual education. It explores the pedagogical, cultural, and political implications of such approaches in a multilingual society. Ke...
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| Format: | Article |
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| Language: | deu |
| Published: |
Association Babylonia Switzerland
2000-02-01
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| Series: | Babylonia |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://babylonia.online/index.php/babylonia/article/view/655 |
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| Summary: | [Summary generated by ChatGPT]
Overview:
This issue of Babylonia focuses on multilingual teaching in Switzerland, with a particular emphasis on immersion and bilingual education. It explores the pedagogical, cultural, and political implications of such approaches in a multilingual society.
Key Contributions:
Editorial Insights:
The editorial criticizes recent regional language education policies—like the Appenzell Inner Rhodes decision to replace French with English—warning of a symbolic erosion of national linguistic cohesion. It underscores the urgency of reinforcing Switzerland's multilingual identity through educational reform.
Identity and Multilingualism:
Jacques Weiss contextualizes language teaching in the legacy of nationalist monolingual policies and argues for bilingual education as a necessary evolution. He warns of the cultural dominance of English and advocates for a model balancing global communication with local linguistic diversity.
Immersive and Bilingual Education Models:
Several contributors share case studies from Switzerland and abroad. Christine Le Pape Racine and Gabriela Fuchs analyze classroom experiences with bilingual instruction, highlighting the logistical, social, and pedagogical challenges and benefits of early and late immersion.
Teaching Foreign Languages:
Reports from Australia and Ireland (Michèle de Courcy and Tina Hickey) provide international perspectives on immersion. These experiences echo Swiss efforts and show how immersion fosters both linguistic proficiency and intercultural understanding.
Cultural Awareness and Challenges:
Teachers and researchers address the risks of bilingual tracks becoming socially elitist. Strategies for inclusiveness, such as incorporating migrant languages and supporting diverse student profiles, are presented as necessary for a fair and sustainable system.
Practical Applications:
Classroom materials and strategies, including bilingual geography and immersive history lessons, are discussed. Emphasis is placed on teacher training and resource development to ensure program quality and equity.
Conclusion:
The issue advocates for immersion as a powerful tool for multilingual education, provided it's implemented inclusively. It calls for sustained political and institutional support to reinforce linguistic diversity as a national asset, not a burden.
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| ISSN: | 1420-0007 2673-6454 |