The "consociational" political system of Belgium responds to the needs of the country's three major ethnic communities: Dutch, French, and German. All decision-making power has been transferred to regional and local governments. In order to find policy decisions acceptable to all groups, most decisions are based on accommodations and…

The European Community is facing the dilemma of respecting and maintaining Europe's traditional national languages and cultures while facilitating communication. This objective can be met by expecting all citizens to speak in their native languages but understand several others, placing emphasis on comprehension in second-language instruction.…

Reasons why Kiswahili has not been officially established as the language of instruction in Tanzania are explored. Language background, sociocultural and pedagogical arguments, and comparisons with the use of French Immersion programs in Canada are discussed. Political interests are identified as the primary reason for retaining English. (34…

Necessary facilities for a successful implementation of bilingual education policy in a country like Nigeria are discussed. It is argued that the policy adopted there was too ambitious and unrealistic and that certain fundamental issues were ignored. Difficulties may lead to a total demise of the policy. (Contains 18 references.) (Author/LB)

Clarifies the history and status of Macedonian in the various areas where it is spoken by providing a summary account of its history as a language of instruction in primary education in the Balkans from the nineteenth century to the present. (Author/VWL)

Suggests that the teaching of English worldwide is tied to native speaker norms. Argues that although this orientation is often recognized as inappropriate and counter-productive, it persists because discussions about global English on the meta-level have not been accompanied by a necessary reorientation in linguistic research. (Author/VWL)

Despite its multilingual heritage, the USA has a history of linguistic intolerance. Arizona, in the country's desert Southwest, is decidedly anti-bilingual although it has significant non-English-speaking groups, especially Spanish-speaking Mexicans/Mexican-Americans and indigenous groups such as the Navajo, Hopi and Yaqui tribes, among many…

The following similarities exist between the language situations of the United States and Australia: (1) both countries have developed and prospered through overseas immigration; (2) until recently, neither country has had a "de jure" official language, only a "de facto" one built around English; (3) in both countries…

As part of a project involving secondary school teachers in Canadian provinces, the role of language, particularly the use of French by French Canadians in education and in daily life, is considered. In a collection of readings, the contemporary debate over language and the status of official languages in various parts of Canada are reviewed and…

Examines ways authority comes to inhabit language. Schools are directly involved in production and distribution of authoritative discourse. In the French-speaking West Indies students are taught in the official language of authority (the French of France) rather than that of their everyday life (Creole). (Author/LHW)

Most East African nations have adopted the colonial languages of English or French as the medium of communication and education. One notable exception is Tanzania where, while each ethnic group has its own language, Kiswahili serves as an effective lingua franca. (RM)

Filipinos speak more than a hundred different languages, 10 to 15 of which are major. In addition, the Philippines was occupied by two foreign powers, each speaking a different language, i.e., Spanish and English. This situation has resulted in a number of different language policies throughout the country's history. These policies are discussed.…

In the process of Arabization of Morocco, it is necessary to maintain French language instruciton, but as a necessary foreign language and not as a primary language. French remains an important part of Morocco's diverse cultural identity. (MSE)

Provides a statistical portrait of residents of the United States who speak a language other than English, including the degree of their fluency in English. The analysis is based on the microdata files from the 1990 Census of Population. The data reveal that a continuation of current migration patterns will result in both linguistic concentration…

Examines attitudes toward indigenous languages in Australia. Suggests that if indigenous languages were granted official status, they would develop and modernize in response, rather than die out.(Author/VWL)