Policymakers' Agency and the Structure: The Case of Medium of Instruction Policy in Multilingual Nepal

Autor/inn/en	Poudel, Prem Prasad; Choi, Tae-Hee
Titel	Policymakers' Agency and the Structure: The Case of Medium of Instruction Policy in Multilingual Nepal
Quelle	In: Current Issues in Language Planning, 22 (2021) 1-2, S.79-98 (20 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1747-7506
DOI	10.1080/14664208.2020.1741235
Schlagwörter	Multilingualism; Language of Instruction; Language Planning; Educational Policy; Foreign Countries; English (Second Language); Second Language Learning; Second Language Instruction; Language Usage; Decision Making; Sociolinguistics; Language Maintenance; Policy Analysis; Language Minorities; Educational Administration; Policy Formation; Municipalities; Professional Autonomy; Administrator Role; Language Skill Attrition; Native Language; Power Structure; Language Attitudes; Indo European Languages; Nepal + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Mehrsprachigkeit; Multilingualismus; Teaching language; Unterrichtssprache; Sprachwechsel; Politics of education; Bildungspolitik; Ausland; English as second language; English; Second Language; Englisch als Zweitsprache; Zweitsprachenerwerb; Fremdsprachenunterricht; Sprachgebrauch; Decision-making; Entscheidungsfindung; Soziolinguistik; Sprachpflege; Politikfeldanalyse; Sprachminderheit; Bildungsverwaltung; Schuladministration; Schulverwaltung; Politische Betätigung; Magistrat; Berufsfreiheit; Sprachverfall; Sprachverhalten; Indoeuropäisch
Abstract	The medium of instruction (MOI) has been a contested issue in multilingual polities globally, as English medium of instruction (EMI) has seen unprecedented growth, threatening the use and sometimes very survival of local/indigenous and even national languages. While the struggles to address related issues have been well researched, how and why local level policymakers enact the well-meant national policies in a way that marginalises indigenous languages and expands EMI has yet to receive due attention. The research is scarce especially when language policy and planning (LPP) is dealt with as part of overall educational governance. Drawing on in-depth interviews with senior policymakers in two similar constituencies in Nepal, and appropriating David Block's agency framework [(2012). Unpicking agency in sociolinguistic research with immigrants. In S. Gardner & M. Martin-Jones (Eds.), "Multilingualism, discourse, and ethnography" (pp. 47-60). Routledge.], the paper shows the elements of structure that enable or delimit the decision-making of different policymakers concerning the MOI. While professing multilingualism as their ideal language policy, the policymakers are designing policies that sideline indigenous languages. This unintended outcome results from dealing with diverse aspects of structure, i.e. history, physical and imagined spaces, culture, and discourses around languages. Though situated within Nepal, the discussion has wider implications for understanding agentive acts in this globalising world and for LPP as part of general educational policymaking. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01