Preliminary research. Preliminary research should provide the information that is required for developing realistic implementation plans. Below are examples of questions to ask at national and provincial levels and also in each language community.
At national and provincial levels,
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What existing policies might provide support for MTB MLE? Can those be strengthened? Are there policies that are opposed to developing and using minority languages in school? Can those be changed?
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Which government agencies and institutions and which non-government organizations can be mobilized to support the programme?
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What national, provincial and local resources might be available for the programme? Examples of local resources include people, buildings, equipment, materials, cultural knowledge, and background information about the community language. Once the resources are identified, what strategies will be used to mobilize them?
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What factors might hinder implementation and sustainability? Examples might include difficulty in getting to some locations because of weather or lack of resources for printing, distribution and storing materials. How can those problems be averted or overcome?
Within language communities:
MTB MLE RESOURCE KIT Including the Excluded: Promoting Multilingual Education
•• How do people describe their children’ s educational situation?
•• What language( s) do students in each school understand and use at home?
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What is the status of the community’ s MT? Is it in written form? Is the writing system acceptable to MT speakers and to relevant government agencies?
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Do community members understand the purpose and benefits of MTB MLE? If so, do they want it for their children? If not, what kind of advocacy is needed to help them understand why it would be good for their children?
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What existing groups( especially including women) can be mobilized to support the programme?
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What other resources( cultural experts, language experts, retired teachers, existing buildings and / or equipment) might be available for the programme?
• • What factors might delay or hinder programme implementation and sustainability? Do community members suggest possible solutions to problems?
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