Argues that global English usage is triggering linguistic genocide in many areas of the world. Equates globalization with war and colonization, and with power structures taking control of natural resources--including land, water, and humans. Asserts that education in a mother tongue must be a human right. (Contains 50 references.) (NB)

Addresses the danger of English in higher education in Norway, stating that if the mother tongue is replaced by English in academia, it does not develop at the highest levels. Discusses five phenomena threatening the Norwegian language, including the increasing use of English words and the recruitment of teachers who do not speak Norwegian.…

Reports that for centuries French language ideology has elaborated various types of discourses in order to establish linguistic dominance and hierarchy. Asserts that if these discourses could be recognized as a recursive prototype, counter-strategies could be developed to combat linguistic dominance, wherever it may be found. (Contains 30…

States that, for more than four centuries, Cyprus has employed both Turkish and Greek as its two main languages. Suggests that the island's lack of policies regarding bilingualism has weakened relations between these two cultural groups, and that the introduction of English makes their assimilation even more difficult. (Contains 19 references.)…

Focusing on Tanzania and the United States, this article examines the fallacy of a monolingual, English-only policy in education. It also examines the philosophy surrounding this debate and considers the detrimental effects upon students of attempting to impose a monolingual policy. Discusses the role of educational language in the quest for…

Discusses the problems of the domination of the ex-colonial languages for intellectual life in Africa. Asserts that English serves fundamentally the interests of those for whom it is both an export commodity and a language of conquest and domination, and argues that there is no compelling reason for adopting a foreign language as a national one.…

Discusses two studies that examine the effects of English, and its status as the official language, on Namibian languages. Finds that the numbers of students in African language classes in Namibia have been dropping significantly--in 1995 there were 100 students taking Oshindonga, and in 1999-2000 there was one. (Contains 66 references.) (NB)

Examines the implications for education of a national language policy in South Africa, a region whose constitution recognizes 11 official languages. Argues that African languages must be used in the business of government if they are to remain viable as languages of instruction in schools. (Contains 13 references.) (NB)

Reports that English, Italian, and Arabic were the official languages of Somalia 1960, even though 95% of the population spoke Somali. However, under a totalitarian regime that came to power in the early 1970's, Somalia was able to promote Somali as the official language. Offers guidance for implementation of literacy campaigns. (Contains 18…

Argues that international monetary organizations influence debt-receiving countries in regard to their educational policies. Stresses the importance of retaining a national educational policy as a means of empowerment and liberation for its masses, and for creating stronger ethnic harmony. In particular, Sri Lanka must continue to teach in the…

States that despite the country's relatively small population and the globalization pressures from the international community, the Icelandic language and culture have remained strong. Reports that Iceland's language policy comes from the government's and official institutions' commitment to the people of Iceland, who are determined to preserve…

Using Bourdieu's theory of cultural capital, which explains how social class influences transmission of educational inequality, this article questions the extent to which various forms of capital also apply to ethnic minorities. Discusses a study of Dutch, Surinamese, Turkish, and Moroccan students, which found that there was no mediating effect…

Suggests that the high dropout rate among first-year students in French universities is due in part to economic factors, which push some students into attending school when work is scarce. Differentiates between those who enter school to invest in the future and those who enter by default. (Contains 71 references.) (NB)

Highlights significance of adult literacy programs in Botswana and Zimbabwe. Concludes that the traditional approach to adult literacy is dominant in both countries, despite differences in national contexts and despite the fact that this traditional approach is largely ineffective. (Contains 51 references.) (NB)

Analyzes factors influencing the attitudes of secondary school teachers in Nairobi. Finds that, based on a field study and interviews, young male teachers suffered from relative deprivation in status and were therefore the least motivated and the most likely to leave the profession. Adds that direct working conditions didn't seem to have a…