ERIC Number: EJ1040648
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1747-7506
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Research for Language Policy in Surinamese Education: A Study on Involvement and Detachment
Kroon, Sjaak; Yagmur, Kutlay
Current Issues in Language Planning, v15 n4 p443-462 2014
In this paper, the on-going process of language policy-making in Suriname is dealt with using quantitative data obtained from students as well as teachers in primary and secondary schools. The Republic of Suriname is a former Dutch colony on the Caribbean coast of South America. Suriname shelters around 20 languages. Dutch is the official language since 1667, while Sranan is the local "lingua franca" among the various ethnic groups. The languages other than Dutch are restricted mainly to domestic and rural domains and they are hardly used in public institutions like schools. Most children acquire one or more languages in the home and are exposed to multiple other languages in society. Upon starting school they are submerged in Dutch-medium education. In line with Surinamese Ministry of Education's request, we carried out a country-wide home language survey with 22,643 students and 3785 teachers in primary and secondary education. The outcomes of the surveys are evaluated against the language policy discussions in Suriname.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Language Planning, Language Research, Statistical Analysis, Surveys, Indo European Languages, Language Attitudes, Multilingualism, Teacher Attitudes, Student Attitudes, Educational Policy, Official Languages, Policy Formation, Ethnic Groups, Competition, Native Language, Elementary School Students, Secondary School Students
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education; Elementary Education; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Surinam
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

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