E-learning and Co-operation Cor van der Meer Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning Fryske Akademy ICML, Tartu, May 2009

Overview Fryslân Mercator Research Centre Match project E-learning tool & research First of all an overview of my presentation I will start with the introduction, about my work, Mercator Education which recently has been turned into the Mercator European Research Centre on Multiling and Langu learning After that i will speak about the study on the development of minimum standards, where I will mention some of the outcomes of the research in ‘observations’, challenges and its recommendations. I will finish the presentation after mentioning some conclusions and perspectives. ICML, Tartu, May 2009

ICML, Tartu, May 2009

Frisian language command 54 % Mothertongue 94 % Understanding 74 % Speaking 65 % Reading 26 % Writing ICML, Tartu, May 2009

Frisian Celebrities Fryske cow, frisian flag also used as brand for milk products all over the world Mata hari and Peter Stuyvesant governor of new york ICML, Tartu, May 2009

Tri-lingual schools ICML, Tartu, May 2009

Results Trilingual School Results pupils: much better skills on Frisian equal results on Dutch more flair on using English Teachers: - more motivated, more competent - proud of their schools The whole experiment was evaluated through a longitudinal research project by the Fryske Akademy. Based on research in other multilingual areas, expectations were confirmed for this project in Friesland. The substantial extra investment of time in Frisian does not have an effect on the language proficiency of the dominant language, in this case Dutch, but the children have a much better command of Frisian compared to the control groups. The small additional amount of English instruction time does not lead to significant higher skill levels, it does results in just a bit more confidence in the use of English by the pupils From experiment to policy !!! ICML, Tartu, May 2009

Mercator Research Centre activities Publications & Databases Network of Schools Network of Teacher Training Institutes Conferences & seminars Mercator is onderdeel van een netwerk. Mercator Education is sinds 1987 gehuisvest bij de fryske Akademy, de andere netwerk partners zij Mercator-Legislation (Barcelona / CIEMEN) en Mercator-Media (Aberysthwyth / University of Wales) Daarnaast werken alle centra nauw samen met het European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages (EBLUL) Mercator Education was hoofdzakelijk een informatie en dokumintatiecentrum, het verzameld en verspreid veel informatie over RML’s yn de EU, net allinnich yn de EU mar ek dêr bûten… Het mercator netwurk heeft dus zo’n 20 jaar ervaring opgebouwd. Een aantal belangrijke activiteiten zijn: Publikaties, Regionale Dossiers!!! en de maandelijkse nieuwsbrieven Ook de nieuwe lidstaten heeft Mercator duidelijk in het vizier, er zijn al verschillende Reg Dos uit deze regio beschikbaar. Databases van specialisten op het gebied van meertaligheid en onderwijs Organisatie van congressen of symposia, bekend is de serie van Mercator symposia die sinds 2000 vrijwel jaarlijks worden georganiseerd Network of schools; meer dan 60 scholen in ongeveer 20 gebieden waar men minderheidstalen spreekt en waar alle scholen twee of meertalig zijn Op de Website is een Question & Answer service beschikbaar, en men kan veel informatie vinden over RML, bv. Onderzoeksverslagen, de Regdossen (PDF), gemiddeld hebben we ongeveer 3000 unieke bezoekers per maand ICML, Tartu, May 2009

Regional Dossier series Update every 5 year Online available Over 40 regional dossiers available at the website ICML, Tartu, May 2009 9

Conferences in 2009 4&5 June, “Pedagogy and Didactics in the Multilingual Classroom”, in cooperation with the Basque Ministry of Education 17-18 September, Mercator Network conference “Developments in the curriculum of language teaching and learning” 30 October, “Partnership for Diversity” conference, linked with song festival “Liet international” ICML, Tartu, May 2009

Projects Mercator Network Research “Added Value of Multilingualism” in co-operation with Basque government MELT (Multilingual Early Language Transmission) EUNoM (European Universities Network on Multilingualism) MATCH (Matching Multilingualism and Cultural Heritage) Mercator Research Centre - “lead partner” 4 Partner institutes: Aberystwyth – University of Wales Barcelona – Ciemen Budapest – Hungarian Academy of Sciences Eskilstuna (Zweden) – Mälardalen University ICML, Tartu, May 2009

MATCH Matching Multilingualism and Cultural Heritage Identification and exchange of good practices, including E-learning EduFrysk www.edufrysk.nl ICML, Tartu, May 2009

ICML, Tartu, May 2009

Background EduFrysk Provincial government policy For learning Frisian language For all levels Dutch as medium of instruction ICML, Tartu, May 2009

Target groups Students Teachers Interested public / learners ICML, Tartu, May 2009

Structure Language & culture learning through: Text (according interest) Music / songs Poetry ICML, Tartu, May 2009

Experiences sofar Successful Quick learning (passive) Learning strategy is intuitive and analytical Low demand for exams or certificates ICML, Tartu, May 2009

Defined user groups General interested public (30-40 years) New students Students, already following course in Frisian Teachers Young people Root seekers Expert groups Language fanatics ICML, Tartu, May 2009

New Features Personal profiles Virtual communities Expert groups Podcasts Language games Possibilities for transfer to other (minority) languages ICML, Tartu, May 2009

Research Structure freedom in learning Social Networking and learning (de Vries, 2008) Social Networking and learning (Weller 2007, Mason & Rennie, 2008) Relation Educators and Learners (Mason & Rennie, 2008) ICML, Tartu, May 2009

Conclusion Opportunities for Minority Languages More research needed Internet can also be seen as an opportunity and useful tool for language learning as threat for linguistic diversity ICML, Tartu, May 2009

Tänan / Thank you / Tankewol Cor van der Meer cvdmeer@fa.knaw.nl Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning Fryske Akademy www.mercator-research.eu ICML, Tartu, May 2009