Download the text "Regional, minority and migration languages"

Download the French version of the text "Regional, minority and migration languages" (Langues régionales, minoritaires et de la migration)

Overview

This text provides a brief introduction to the part of the Platform that deals with the languages of minorities and of migrants in education systems. The term regional or minority languages is used to refer to indigenous languages traditionally used by a minority group over a long period within a country, to non-territorial languages (e.g. Romani) and sign languages. Migrant languages is used to refer to the mother tongues of migrant children, in which they may have varying degrees of proficiency depending on the extent of use and support for these languages.

Download the text "Language and school subjects - Linguistic dimensions of knowledge building in school curricula"

Download the French version of the text "Language and school subjects - Linguistic dimensions of knowledge building in school curricula" (Langues et matières scolaires – dimensions linguistiques de la construction des connaissances dans les curriculums)

Download the Italian version of the text "Language and school subjects - Linguistic dimensions of knowledge building in school curricula" (Lingua e discipline scolastiche. Dimensioni linguistiche nella costruzione delle conoscenze nei curricoli)

Overview

The purpose of this text is to suggest a general approach enabling different levels of specification of these language dimensions to be classed in transversal descriptive categories. The aim is to describe the process leading from units for analysis of actual uses to the identification of linguistic forms and mechanisms appropriate to those uses. It is aimed not only at the authors of curricula and textbooks and the designers of tests, but also at teachers, and especially teachers of subjects sometimes quite wrongly described as “non-linguistic”, to draw their attention to the language components of work in their subject. It is also relevant to teacher trainers, particularly those responsible for the teaching of disciplines other than languages taught as a subject.

Related studies available in "Language(s) in other subjects" on this Platform

Download the study "Languages of schooling: focusing on vulnerable learners"

Download the French version of the study "Languages of schooling: focusing on vulnerable learners" (Langue(s) de scolarisation et apprenants vulnérables)

Overview

In order to achieve educational success pupils from migrant backgrounds must be more than conversationally fluent in the language of schooling: they must also master the varieties of academic language that constitute the fabric of the different curriculum subjects. Because knowledge is virtually inseparable from the language that embodies it, the project “Languages in Education – Languages for Education” takes the view that all teachers must be language teachers in the sense that they are aware of the specific language demands of their subject(s). This study suggests some of the ways in which this challenge can be met

Download the study "Language diagnostics in multilingual settings with respect to continuous procedures as accompaniment of individualized learning and teaching"

Download the French version of the study "Language diagnostics in multilingual settings with respect to continuous procedures as accompaniment of individualized learning and teaching" (Le diagnostic des compétences en langues dans des contextes multilingues : un processus continu favorisant l’enseignement et l’apprentissage individualisés)

Download the Italian version of the study "Language diagnostics in multilingual settings with respect to continuous procedures as accompaniment of individualized learning and teaching" (La valutazione diagnostica delle competenze linguistiche in un contesto multilingue: un processo continuo che favorisce l’insegnamento e l’apprendimento individualizzato)

Overview

This study provides an introduction to language diagnostics in multilingual educational settings, with particular reference to the needs of children and adolescents from migrant backgrounds. It summarises the objectives and functions of language diagnostics and the principles that govern diagnostics, including formative assessment, as an integral part of continuous language education that emphasises individualised teaching and learning. From a theoretical perspective diagnostic procedures in multilingual settings treat language learning as a socio-cultural activity.

Contents (extracts)

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Language diagnostics in linguistically and culturally diverse educational settings
• 3. Examples of diagnostic tools and procedures
• 4. Implementation strategies – some examples
• Conclusion
• References

Download the study "Cooperation, management and networking: effective ways to promote the linguistic and educational integration of children and adolescents from migrant backgrounds"

Download the French version of the study "Cooperation, management and networking: effective ways to promote the linguistic and educational integration of children and adolescents from migrant backgrounds" (Coopération, gestion et travail en réseau : comment promouvoir l’intégration linguistique et éducative des enfants et adolescents issus de l'immigration)

Overview

In contemporary schools, linguistic diversity is a common feature and should be the starting point for the educational activities of educators and teachers. Immigrant minority children usually live bi- or multilingual lives in the host country and bring a multitude of languages and language competences to their educational institutions. This study focuses on ways in which the linguistic integration of bi- and multilingual children and young people can be designed successfully through collaboration among pupils, parents, teachers and other educational experts as well as between schools and other institutions.

Download the publication "Bilingual education: some policy issues"

Download the French version of the publication "Bilingual education: some policy issues" (Éléments pour une politique de l'éducation bilingue)

Download the publication "Linguistic diversity and new minorities in Europe"

Download the French version of the publication "Linguistic diversity and new minorities in Europe" (Diversité linguistique et nouvelles minorités en Europe)

The following list of studies and reports can be used for offering support for the linguistic and educational integration of children and adolescents from migrants, but also to enhance the educational experience of all learners.

 Further resources 

• Curriculum Framework for Romani
• European Language Portfolio models and Handbook for teachers
• Support activities of the European Centre for Modern Languages

 The political framework and challenges

 Resources to support the linguistic and educational integration of children and adolescents from migrant backgrounds

• Curriculum for mother tongue teaching for language minorities [translated from Norwegian into English]

Website

Hearing with the Language Policy Division (2006): "The Committee of Experts' interpretation and evaluation practice concerning the implementation of Articles on Education of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages"

Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities - 1995 (STE 157): see in particular "Commentary n° 1: Education..."

Recommendation CM/Rec(2014)5 to member States on the importance of competences in the language(s) of schooling for equity and quality in education and for educational success.
Explanatory Memorandum (available in Italian)

Recommendation CM/Rec(2012)13E to member States on ensuring quality education

Recommendation on the place of the mother tongue in school education: Recommendation 1740 (2006) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)

Recommendation on strengthening the integration of children of migrants and of immigrant background: Recommendation CM/Rec (2008)4 of the Committee of Ministers to member states

Extracts from Council of Europe Conventions and Recommendations / Resolutions by the Committee of Ministers and Parliamentary Assembly on the education of children and adolescents from migrant backgrounds

1995 (STE 163).
Full text