English & Internationalisation in primary school

• Internationalisation
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• Studiejaar 2

The role of English & Internationalisation in Primary School

Language & Identity: how is it related ?

Language -> communication

                      -> connects an individual to his identity: who are you - who am I? 

                      -> carrier of history, traditions, customs: culture

Our language reflects who we are: it is our identity.

(source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/185439-Language-and-identity)

English & education

- Mandatory in primary school for 40 years

- Globalisation & Internationalisation = world is getting smaller, necessity to cross borders increases

- prepare children for a global & international life

What is your identity when you speak English?

1. Frisian (regional)
2. Dutch
3. European
4. Global citizen

What is "Global Citizenship"? What do you do to be a "Global citizen"?

Global citizenship

A global citizen is someone who is aware of and understands the wider world – and their place in it. (Oxfam)

Global citizenship is the idea that one's identity transcends geography or political borders and that responsibilities or rights are derived from membership in a broader class: "humanity". (Wikipedia)

Globalisation & internationalisation: is it the same?

Yes

No

Globalization:  a 'process that focuses on the worldwide flow of ideas, resources, people, economy, values, culture, knowledge, goods, services, and technology', (the world as a melting pot)

Internationalization of education: 'the process of integrating an international, intercultural and global dimension into the goals, teaching/learning, of an education system'. 

Internationalization emphasizes the relationship between and among nations, people, cultures, institutions,  

Globalization stresses the concept of worldwide flow of economy, ideas, culture, etc. 

(Jane Knight, OSIE)

Globalisation:

Originally trade driven world wide interdependence, today powered by:

• Migration (travel is cheap, staying in touch is easy, more opportunities in wealthier countries)
• Cultural blending (less language spoken, less cultural diversity)
• Increasing world population

Internationalisation

Crossing borders to form 

relationships between

nations, cultures, people,

institutions

Internationalisation in education: 

what do we teach?

- Learn to speak a different language -> Lingua Franca

- Knowledge and understanding of the world (Everyday lives, homes & families, the local environment and community, and the wider world. Geography - places and people. History - time and people. Biology - myself and other living things.)

- Global citizenship in an international society

Unesco Schools

Unesco = United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 

The Netherlands: 74 schools

Focus: peace, sustainability, world citizenship, civil rights

How? Projects on:

- Media Literacy

- Democracy

- Climate change

- Inclusion

- Cultural heritage

Why?

• Develop international competencies
• Foster intercultural sensitivity
• Personal development

https://www.nuffic.nl/nieuws/wat-is-de-meerwaarde-van-internationale-competenties

How to teach global citizenship & 

internationalize education?

Countless possibilities & opportunities

Partner with a school:

- Etwinning: https://www.etwinning.net/en/pub/index.htm

- Myschoolsnetwork: https://www.myschoolsnetwork.com/

- Connecting-classrooms.britishcouncil.org

English as a world language

Lingua Franca = a language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different.

www.nuffic.nl

www.schooleducationgateway.eu

www.linkedin.com