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Language policy-making in Ireland: a preliminary study of the consultation process of Languages Connect

Erdocia, Iker ORCID: 0000-0003-2459-1346, Nocchi, Susanna ORCID: 0000-0003-1389-8035 and Ruane, Mary (2020) Language policy-making in Ireland: a preliminary study of the consultation process of Languages Connect. Teanga - The Irish Journal of Applied Linguistics, 27 . pp. 98-127. ISSN 2565-6325

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Abstract

This study aims to explore the policy-making process of Languages Connect - Ireland’s Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017-2026. For that purpose, we concentrate on the consultation process adopted by the Department of Education and Skills. Drawing on a concept of foreign language competence as human capital, the aim of this study is twofold. Firstly, we investigate the extent to which the submissions to the consultation process form a sequence with the final document, Languages Connect; secondly, we examine the Irish government documents and compare the submissions reflecting the government approach to language with those problematising such discourse. The former analysis reveals how a market-led valuing of languages is embedded in the government discourse. The latter analysis further shows that linguistic diversity did not receive as much attention as language competence. Bearing in mind that participatory and deliberative procedures are meant to provide legitimacy for policy decisions, the paper concludes by discussing some of the positioning taken in Languages Connect and the role of the procedural mechanisms employed in the consultation.

Item Type:Article (Published)
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:Language policy and planning; policy analysis; participatory policy-making; deliberation; mixed methods research
Subjects:Humanities > Irish language
Humanities > Language
Humanities > Linguistics
Social Sciences > Education
Social Sciences > Multiculturalism
Social Sciences > Political science
Social Sciences > Migration
Social Sciences > Public administration
Social Sciences > Identity
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Humanities and Social Science > School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies
Publisher:Irish Association for Applied Linguistics
Official URL:https://journal.iraal.ie/index.php/teanga/article/view/224/440
Copyright Information:2021 (CC-BY-NC 4.0)
ID Code:26301
Deposited On:28 Sep 2021 14:35 by Iker Erdocia Iniguez . Last Modified 28 Sep 2021 14:35

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