Social Cohesion and Language LearningSocial Cohesion and Language Learning

Joseph Lo BiancoJoseph Lo Bianco

ECML, Graz, AustriaECML, Graz, Austria

September 2007September 2007

Fiji, Cambodia, Belgium, Fiji, Cambodia, Belgium, IndiaIndia

>>>>

Ethnically homogenous Ethnically homogenous

REFERENCESREFERENCES

• CoE, CDCS (2004) CoE, CDCS (2004) A New Strategy for Social CohesionA New Strategy for Social Cohesion, European Committee for Social Cohesion (CDCS) Revised strategy for Social , European Committee for Social Cohesion (CDCS) Revised strategy for Social Cohesion approved by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 31 March 2004.Cohesion approved by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 31 March 2004.

• House of Commons, (2004) Social Cohesion, Sixth Report of Session 2003–04, ODPM: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the House of Commons, (2004) Social Cohesion, Sixth Report of Session 2003–04, ODPM: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Committee Volume I, House of Commons, London: The Stationery Office LimitedRegions Committee Volume I, House of Commons, London: The Stationery Office Limited

Social Cohesion and Language LearningSocial Cohesion and Language Learning

implications for

Language PolicyLanguage PedagogyLanguage ResearchLanguage Curriculum

Classic LP Goals of National StatesClassic LP Goals of National States

Consolidation of the national language for all domains;Consolidation of the national language for all domains;

Universal standard language literacy but cultural literacy Universal standard language literacy but cultural literacy for elites & functional literacy for the masses;for elites & functional literacy for the masses;

Prestige foreign languages (for elites); admiration for a Prestige foreign languages (for elites); admiration for a foreign culture or strategic or economic skills. foreign culture or strategic or economic skills.

Multilingualism and Social CohesionMultilingualism and Social Cohesion

• Cambodia 1975-1979 “Killing Fields” Cambodia 1975-1979 “Killing Fields” • "It's just terrible. This is Fiji. We're meant to be a peaceful "It's just terrible. This is Fiji. We're meant to be a peaceful

country and here are all these soldiers frightening people country and here are all these soldiers frightening people with their guns" Ms. Diani said. Four coups d'état ~ 20 with their guns" Ms. Diani said. Four coups d'état ~ 20

yearsyears• Britain 2001, France 2006, Belgium 2007Britain 2001, France 2006, Belgium 2007

• 2020thth century European wars century European wars• India (800 languages), PNG (> 700 languages), Vanuatu India (800 languages), PNG (> 700 languages), Vanuatu

(100 languages and 110, 000 people) (100 languages and 110, 000 people)