ERIC Number: EJ1328037
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1747-7506
EISSN: N/A
An Empirical Validation Study of Spolsky's Language Policy Model
Current Issues in Language Planning, v23 n1 p77-95 2022
This study investigates Spolsky's conception of language policy as the amalgam of language beliefs, language practices and language management. To the best of our knowledge, no quantitative evidence has ever been produced for his theoretical model. The current paper addressed this void, albeit specifically in the domain of Early Childhood Care and Education -- scarce in terms of language policy research, but vital for children's (multilingual) language development. An Exploratory Factor Analysis yielded three valid and reliable scales that capture language policy from the perspective of early childhood professionals (N = 305) associated with infant welfare clinics in the Flemish Community of Belgium. Furthermore, a Confirmatory Factor Analysis indicated that the three components are 'independent' as well as 'interconnected,' thereby quantitatively corroborating Spolsky's theory. We conclude that language policy is no unitary concept; therefore, if one intends to study language policy holistically, the three indispensable components are to be identified. As a corollary, one simply cannot investigate management without considering beliefs and practices, and vice versa.
Descriptors: Language Planning, Language Attitudes, Early Childhood Education, Child Care, Public Policy, Language Usage, Multilingualism, Second Language Learning, Factor Analysis, Preschool Teachers, Reliability, Linguistic Theory, Measures (Individuals), Child Welfare, Infants, Teacher Attitudes, Foreign Countries, French, Indo European Languages, Native Language, Teacher Student Relationship, Parent Teacher Cooperation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Belgium
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A