Enquiry

Abstract:

Language policies, if implemented effectively, can enable marginalized groups to fully engage in the social and political life of mainstream society and enjoy educational and economic benefits. Poorly conceived and ineffectively implemented policies, on the other hand, could exacerbate their marginalization and deprivation.

Based a study of trilingual education policies for minority groups in China, this presentation identifies the potential benefits of the policies as well as major tensions that have arisen when the policy is implemented. Although recent efforts by the state to maintain political stability have produced language policies that strive to promote minority languages so that minority groups can maintain their culture and identity, tensions have arisen as the state also makes efforts to promote national cohesion through the promotion of standard Chinese. Meanwhile English has attained prestigious status because of the China’s desire to play a prominent role in international affairs, and English has become an important subject even in primary schools, placing a logistical strain on ethnic minority schools in rural areas. 

Speaker:

Bob Adamson is Professor of Curriculum Studies and Head of the Department of International Education and Lifelong Learning at Hong Kong Institute of Education

All are welcome!

Please register online here, or email hcso@ied.edu.hk for enquiries. 

** UNESCO Research Seminar Series is a HKIEd 20th Anniversary Celebratory Event, which is jointly organized by: the UNESCO Chair in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Lifelong Learning, the UNESCO-UNEVOC Centre (HK), the UNESCO Arts-in-Education Observatory for Research in Local Cultures and Creativity in Education (RLCCE), Centre for Lifelong Learning Research and Development, and Centre for Governance and Citizenship.