Karijn Helsloot
Why is it so important to include HLE in the regular school system?
The heritage language - or mother tongue - of a young learner is the main road to achieving knowledge and a balanced mind. Blocking this main road leads to unnecessary distress and delays.
The regular school system should acknowledge the learner's home language, in order to facilitate the learner to grow and develop cognitively and emotionally, and to contribute actively to his personality and societal position.
How has YLC! influenced your work in the Netherlands?
YLC! has given me renewed impetus to focus on multilingualism in lower secondary education, including all home languages in the classroom. Thanks to YLC!, the foundation Taal naar Keuze was able to reconnect to schools, teachers, researchers and policymakers to put HLE on the agenda.
What could be the next steps to promote HLE in your context?
The foundation Taal naar Keuze will
YLC! has proven to be the answer to the European language policy, i.e. the minimally three languages requirement. By recognizing that all mother tongues of European citizens partake in this requirement, it strengthens i. the cultural and language diversity, ii. the mutual understanding at local and regional levels, and iii. last but not least, the safety within and all over the continent.
The heritage language - or mother tongue - of a young learner is the main road to achieving knowledge and a balanced mind. Blocking this main road leads to unnecessary distress and delays.
The regular school system should acknowledge the learner's home language, in order to facilitate the learner to grow and develop cognitively and emotionally, and to contribute actively to his personality and societal position.
How has YLC! influenced your work in the Netherlands?
YLC! has given me renewed impetus to focus on multilingualism in lower secondary education, including all home languages in the classroom. Thanks to YLC!, the foundation Taal naar Keuze was able to reconnect to schools, teachers, researchers and policymakers to put HLE on the agenda.
What could be the next steps to promote HLE in your context?
The foundation Taal naar Keuze will
- refer to the YLC! project results in her frequent communications with schools in the Netherlands
- share the results of YLC! on her platform.taalnaarkeuze.nl
- start a Discussion Forum for HL teachers in the Netherlands, and possibly in wider Europe
YLC! has proven to be the answer to the European language policy, i.e. the minimally three languages requirement. By recognizing that all mother tongues of European citizens partake in this requirement, it strengthens i. the cultural and language diversity, ii. the mutual understanding at local and regional levels, and iii. last but not least, the safety within and all over the continent.