TY - JOUR
T1 - Two languages in the classroom
T2 - The inconsistency between national and local objectives of formal education in Cyprus
AU - Sophocleous, Andry
PY - 2011/9
Y1 - 2011/9
N2 - This study investigates the complex interplay between national and local objectives of formal education in the bidialectal context of Cyprus. Even though the state and the Ministry of Education and Culture urge teachers to employ the standard language variety in education, the dialect is often used as a medium of interaction and even instruction during class time. Specifically, this study examines in which communicative interactions in the classroom language becomes a salient feature of the interaction and whether patterns arise as regards the factors that influence teachers' and learners' selection of one or the other language variety. Data collected from kindergarten, primary, and secondary education via class observations suggest that teachers' differing language practices are largely influenced by the subject area they teach and more often than not inconsistencies arise in connection with the state's national objectives of formal education and the school's or teacher's local objectives in the classroom.
AB - This study investigates the complex interplay between national and local objectives of formal education in the bidialectal context of Cyprus. Even though the state and the Ministry of Education and Culture urge teachers to employ the standard language variety in education, the dialect is often used as a medium of interaction and even instruction during class time. Specifically, this study examines in which communicative interactions in the classroom language becomes a salient feature of the interaction and whether patterns arise as regards the factors that influence teachers' and learners' selection of one or the other language variety. Data collected from kindergarten, primary, and secondary education via class observations suggest that teachers' differing language practices are largely influenced by the subject area they teach and more often than not inconsistencies arise in connection with the state's national objectives of formal education and the school's or teacher's local objectives in the classroom.
KW - Greek-cypriot dialect
KW - Language policy
KW - Language variation
KW - Standard modern greek
KW - State education
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=80052656128&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/15348458.2011.598129
DO - 10.1080/15348458.2011.598129
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:80052656128
SN - 1534-8458
VL - 10
SP - 266
EP - 281
JO - Journal of Language, Identity and Education
JF - Journal of Language, Identity and Education
IS - 4
ER -