Language landscape or linguistic landscape studies are a relatively new field of research within language sociology that has a specific interest in the public space (Shohamy, 2006:128). Linguistic landscape studies analyzes the use of language in the public and/or institutional sphere~ to determine the (instrumental or symbolical) value represented by the graphic representation of language, taking into account the relevant language policy (see also Gorter, 2007:5; Curtin, 2007:11). The goal of this research is to test and empirically apply the theory of the developing international and national linguistic landscape research paradigm on the multilingual South African higher education landscape. The design for this research consists of a theoretical and an empirical component. The aforementioned entails a thorough investigation of linguistic landscape studies and its development over the past couple of years. The empirical component is done in three phases. Phase 1 involves an in-depth investigation regarding nine of the 12 South African universities whose language policies are available in the public domain. During Phase 2, these universities are visited and structured interviews are held with the language committee/language manager to determine what the situation is regarding policy and practice in the language landscape domain. In Phase 3, the data from the previous two phases is assessed and interpreted to make recommendations to South African universities as to how to overcome the possible mismatch. This research found that the visibility of multilingualism in the South African higher education landscape is relatively low due to a mismatch between policy and practice. However, the mismatch is not caused by universities' lack of commitment to multilingualism. Deep-set causes, i.e. the processes involved with language planning, the lack of detailed language plans, and so forth, lead to this mismatch and the lack of visibility of multilingualism at South African universities. / Thesis (M.A. (Afrikaans and Dutch))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toronto, 2006. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 44-06, page: 2509.

Mémoire(M.E.S.R)--Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 1997. / En tête du titre: Mémoire présenté à l'Université du Québec à Chicoutimi comme exigence partielle de la maîtrise en études régionales. CaQCU Bibliogr.: f. 227-239. Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

Thesis (M.A. (English Language and Linguistics))--Rhodes University, 2006.

This thesis explored the use of ideology as defined by Spolsky and Woolard and Schieffelin to explain both the Japanese and Kuomintang regimes use of language policy in Taiwan from 1895 to 1987. In the case of the Japanese, they introduced both educational reform and a new language into Taiwan after 1895. It was their desire to see the Taiwanese become good citizens of the Empire. When the new government first arrived on the island the use of local dialects were still permitted, and local Chinese schools remained open for a time. During the later colonial period in Taiwan the use of the Japanese language became more and more dominant. In the case of the Kuomintang who came to govern Taiwan after 1945, it was their use of Mandarin that defined their form of language policy on the island. The KMT believed that they were the legal government of China and planned for their eventual return to the mainland.

O presente estudo analisa o Certificado de Proficiência em Língua Portuguesa para Estrangeiros, Celpe-Bras, como instrumento de política linguística, entendido como uma avaliação orientada para o uso (Shohamy, 2006, 2007; McNamara, 2010, Da Silva, 2011). Através da coleta de materiais documentais e da revisão de literatura, este trabalho busca a) problematizar o uso e a implicação do uso dos termos instrumento de política linguística para tratar de exames de línguas, b) analisar se o Celpe-Bras é um instrumento de política linguística e c) se sim, como é utilizado. Partindo do entendimento de políticas linguísticas como processos complexos sujeitos a interpretações dos agentes que as implementam (Johnson, 2013) e de que as políticas linguísticas expressas em textos e discursos não necessariamente correspondem à política linguística efetiva (Shohamy, 2006), as análises aqui empreendidas verificam quais são os propósitos declarados e os objetivos de política linguística quando da criação do Celpe-Bras – o que aparece nos documentos e discursos – e como esses propósitos e objetivos se materializam, atentando para instâncias de repercussão do Celpe-Bras. As análises também identificam pautas econômicas, sociais, políticas, ideológicas e culturais com as quais o Celpe-Bras se vincula, e explicitam como se dá esse vínculo. O trabalho aponta para o Celpe-Bras como um instrumento de política linguística, utilizado por professores, pesquisadores, profissionais e docentes de universidades ligados à área de PLA para a implementação de políticas linguísticas, cujos efeitos vão além da pauta educacional. Esses agentes não apenas implementam as políticas, como também se apoderam do construto teórico do Celpe-Bras como orientador para planejarem aulas, discutirem conceitos, fornecerem explicações, estruturarem currículos etc. Eles são, portanto, ativos no processo de criação e implementação de políticas linguísticas. O presente estudo visa a contribuir para um melhor entendimento sobre o papel do Celpe-Bras e dos agentes envolvidos na conversão de políticas em materializações, bem como legitimar o exame como avaliação de proficiência do português brasileiro. / The current study analyzes the Certificate of Proficiency in Portuguese for Foreigners, Celpe-Bras, as an instrument of language policy, understood as a use oriented testing (Shohamy, 2006, 2007; McNamara, 2010, Da Silva, 2011). By means of collecting documentary materials and reviewing the literature, this research seeks to a) problematize the use and the implication of the use of the terms instrument of language policy to deal with language exams, b) analyze if Celpe-Bras is an instrument of language policy and c) if so, how it is utilized. Building on the understanding of language policies as complex processes subject to interpretation of the agents who implement them (Johnson, 2013) and that the language policies expressed in texts and discourses don't necessarily correspond to the real language policy (Shohamy, 2006), the analyzes here undertaken verify what the intentions and objectives when Celpe-Bras was created are – what appears in documents and discourses – and how these intentions and objectives materialize, attempting to instances of repercussion of Celpe-Bras. The analyzes also identify economic, social, political, ideological and cultural agendas with which Celpe-Bras is attached to, and how this connection happens. The study points to Celpe-Bras as an instrument of language policy, utilized by teachers, researchers, professionals and scholars related to the Portuguese as an Additional Language (PAL) area for the implementation of language policies, whose effects go beyond the educational agenda. These agents not only implement the policies, but also appropriate the theoretical construct of Celpe-Bras as a guiding for planning classes, discussing concepts, delivering explanations, structuring curricula etc. They are, therefore, active in the process of creation and implementation of language policies. The current study aims at contributing for a better understanding of the role of Celpe-Bras and the agents involved in the conversion of policies into materializations, as well as legitimating the exam as proficiency assessment of Brazilian Portuguese.

This thesis looks at what choice of medium of instruction (MOl) parents in a rural village in KwaZulu would make if they had the opportunity to choose. The background to this choice goes back to 1979, when Education and Training Act No. 90 established the mother tongue as MOl from Sub A to Std 2 in Department of Education and Training (DET) primary schools, followed by a sudden transition to English medium of instruction - (EMl) in Std 3. Though by 1990 98% of the schools had opted for EMI, conditions were not favourable for a sudden transition and the policy led to high drop-out rates. The problems encountered by teachers and learners were researched and documented by Macdonald in the Threshold Project Reports (1990). Although the Minister initially ignored the Project's findings, in May 1991 he admitted that his department's language policy was leading to serious educational disadvantages. The explosive situation that culminated in the 1976 school uprisings led to the amendment of the Act. There was concern among people involved in educational language policy that parents had not been given sufficient information to make informed educational choices. They feared that many parents would, largely out of ignorance, opt for straight-for-English, when in fact the conditions in the schools were not conducive to the success of that choice option. The widespread assumption about the parents choosing straight-for-English was based on anecdotal evidence. I decided to investigate this matter in the Nongoma area. My findings pointed to very healthy attitudes towards the mother tongue and there was even a measure of understanding of the place of mother tongue instruction in the beginner classes. But even though the respondents wanted their language to be respected, they also wanted their children to acquire a good education in English, so as to be eligible for jobs in an economy that emphasises the importance of English.

O presente estudo analisa o Certificado de Proficiência em Língua Portuguesa para Estrangeiros, Celpe-Bras, como instrumento de política linguística, entendido como uma avaliação orientada para o uso (Shohamy, 2006, 2007; McNamara, 2010, Da Silva, 2011). Através da coleta de materiais documentais e da revisão de literatura, este trabalho busca a) problematizar o uso e a implicação do uso dos termos instrumento de política linguística para tratar de exames de línguas, b) analisar se o Celpe-Bras é um instrumento de política linguística e c) se sim, como é utilizado. Partindo do entendimento de políticas linguísticas como processos complexos sujeitos a interpretações dos agentes que as implementam (Johnson, 2013) e de que as políticas linguísticas expressas em textos e discursos não necessariamente correspondem à política linguística efetiva (Shohamy, 2006), as análises aqui empreendidas verificam quais são os propósitos declarados e os objetivos de política linguística quando da criação do Celpe-Bras – o que aparece nos documentos e discursos – e como esses propósitos e objetivos se materializam, atentando para instâncias de repercussão do Celpe-Bras. As análises também identificam pautas econômicas, sociais, políticas, ideológicas e culturais com as quais o Celpe-Bras se vincula, e explicitam como se dá esse vínculo. O trabalho aponta para o Celpe-Bras como um instrumento de política linguística, utilizado por professores, pesquisadores, profissionais e docentes de universidades ligados à área de PLA para a implementação de políticas linguísticas, cujos efeitos vão além da pauta educacional. Esses agentes não apenas implementam as políticas, como também se apoderam do construto teórico do Celpe-Bras como orientador para planejarem aulas, discutirem conceitos, fornecerem explicações, estruturarem currículos etc. Eles são, portanto, ativos no processo de criação e implementação de políticas linguísticas. O presente estudo visa a contribuir para um melhor entendimento sobre o papel do Celpe-Bras e dos agentes envolvidos na conversão de políticas em materializações, bem como legitimar o exame como avaliação de proficiência do português brasileiro. / The current study analyzes the Certificate of Proficiency in Portuguese for Foreigners, Celpe-Bras, as an instrument of language policy, understood as a use oriented testing (Shohamy, 2006, 2007; McNamara, 2010, Da Silva, 2011). By means of collecting documentary materials and reviewing the literature, this research seeks to a) problematize the use and the implication of the use of the terms instrument of language policy to deal with language exams, b) analyze if Celpe-Bras is an instrument of language policy and c) if so, how it is utilized. Building on the understanding of language policies as complex processes subject to interpretation of the agents who implement them (Johnson, 2013) and that the language policies expressed in texts and discourses don't necessarily correspond to the real language policy (Shohamy, 2006), the analyzes here undertaken verify what the intentions and objectives when Celpe-Bras was created are – what appears in documents and discourses – and how these intentions and objectives materialize, attempting to instances of repercussion of Celpe-Bras. The analyzes also identify economic, social, political, ideological and cultural agendas with which Celpe-Bras is attached to, and how this connection happens. The study points to Celpe-Bras as an instrument of language policy, utilized by teachers, researchers, professionals and scholars related to the Portuguese as an Additional Language (PAL) area for the implementation of language policies, whose effects go beyond the educational agenda. These agents not only implement the policies, but also appropriate the theoretical construct of Celpe-Bras as a guiding for planning classes, discussing concepts, delivering explanations, structuring curricula etc. They are, therefore, active in the process of creation and implementation of language policies. The current study aims at contributing for a better understanding of the role of Celpe-Bras and the agents involved in the conversion of policies into materializations, as well as legitimating the exam as proficiency assessment of Brazilian Portuguese.

This study investigates the experiences of isiMpondo speakers in learning standard language through the formal education system. The sociolinguistic factors such as attitudes, language policies and language use in multilingual societies are taken into considerations. The children of non-standard language speakers such as those who speak dialects like isiMpondo have to use another language in their early years in the school system. It is articulated that the isiMpondo that the child brings to the school from the environment is not accommodated simply because it is a non-standard language; whereas the language that is used in the classroom situation is the isiXhosa variety which is a standard one. The research findings show that isiMpondo impacts on learner’s education directly because they lose marks during the course of the year and during examination times if they use it. The study concludes with a recommendation that educators should honour the seven roles of educators by appropriate norms and standards. Some approaches to teaching have been suggested to be used by teachers with regard to inclusivity, as it recognises diversity, and values the following: the uniqueness of the individuals, the experiences, abilities, cultural and language backgrounds of each individual. All in all it seeks to meet the needs of the individual learner by creating a non-discriminatory teaching and learning environment.

abstract: This qualitative study investigates the experiences of ten focal youth who came to the United States as refugees and were placed in Structured English Immersion (SEI) programs in Arizona high schools. The educational language policy for Arizona’s public schools (during the 2014-2015 school year) mandates SEI include four 60-minute classroom periods devoted to reading, writing, grammar, oral English exclusively. Students in SEI thus have restricted access to the full-range of general education courses required for graduation, as well as limited opportunities for social interaction with peers enrolled in the “mainstream” curriculum. The study investigates how youth understand and navigate the school language policy, practices and discourses that position them, and specifically seeks to learn how being identified as an “English Language Learner” interacts with youth’s construction of academic and social identities. Adopting a critical sociocultural theory of language policy (following McCarty, 2011), employing ethnographically-informed research methods, and using social-positioning as an analytic lens, I aim to learn from an emic youth perspective and to amplify their voices. Eight Somali and two Iraqi students took part in two individual in-depth interviews; five students participated in a focus group; and all engaged in numerous informal conversations during 22 researcher site visits to an ethnic community-based organization (ECBO) and a family apartment. Narratives recounting the participants’ lived experiences in the socio-cultural context of high school provide powerful examples of youth asserting personal agency and engaging in small acts of resistance to contest disagreeable positioning. The findings thus support the conceptualization of youth as creative producers of hybridity in response to their environments. This work also confirms the perennial significance of social categories and “othering” in high school. Though the institutional structure of separate classrooms and concomitant limited access to required courses hinder the study participants’ academic progress, the youth speak positively about the comfort of comradery and friendship in the shared safe space of the separate SEI classroom. The dissertation concludes with participants’ recommendations for educators, and the people refugee youth interact with in the context of high school, to improve refugee youth’s experience. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Educational Leadership and Policy Studies 2016