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Article published In: Developments in Diglossic Settings in the Asian Pacific Region:
Edited by Marinus van den Berg
[Journal of Asian Pacific Communication 30:1/2] 2020
► pp. 7–33

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Special issue articles

Dimensions of language education policy in Asia

 | University of Warwick
 | Griffith University
Published online: 30 June 2020
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/japc.00043.kir
Abstract
This paper will identify the major trends that can be determined from an overall study of recent language policies across Asia. The trends can be seen across three interrelated themes, namely: the promotion and privileging of one language as the national language as part of an attempt to create a nation state, often in polities that are linguistically extremely diverse; a decrease in the promotion of indigenous languages other than the national language and the neglect of these in education in many countries; and the promotion of English as the first foreign language in education systems, often giving other ‘foreign’ languages a minimal role in education. Possible reasons and motivations for these trends will be discussed and countries where exceptions to these trends can be identified will be illustrated. The aim of the paper will be to discuss these trends and to critically evaluate selected language policies. The paper will conclude with predictions for the future linguistic ecology of the region and for the interrelationships of respective national languages, indigenous languages and English
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • East Asia
  • Southeast Asia
  • Central Asia
  • South Asia
  • Case studies
    • Case study #1 East Asia: Mainland China and Hong Kong SAR
    • Case study #2 Southeast Asia: The Philippines
    • Case study #3 Central Asia: Uzbekistan
    • Case study #4 South Asia: Bangladesh
  • Common themes in language education policy in Asia
  • Conclusion
  • References
References (52)
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