Bilingualism should be seen as an advantage
Bilingualism should be seen as an advantage
The Initiative for Reforms in Education (ERG) has organized a conference titled "Bilingualism and Education in Turkey: Steps to be taken for Sustainable Solutions". It was argued that bilingualism in Turkey could be turned into an advantage for the country.
The meeting, as reported by the internet news agency Bianet, was held at the Sabancý University Communications Centre in Karaköy on the banks of Istanbul's Golden Horn on 8 December. The need for an extensive preparation for bilingual education was stressed. This, according to the initiative, means first of all to prepare a multi-cultural structure in society and education at schools.
Bianet reported Batuhan Aydagül, who has worked on this area for the past two and a half years on behalf of the ERG, as saying that "Integrative policies are crucial for improving the perception in Turkey. Not only the language used in education has to be changed, but also the contents. If you do not change the contents of the history book but only the language, the message that is conveyed remains the same".
ERG Director Prof. Üstün Ergüder pointed out that having reached the state of discussing educational demands was a very important development in itself. "Before, these demands were ignored. The polarization in the public discussion sparks concern. We hope to be able to overcome discussions that lack a rational dialogue", he said.
Ergüder indicated that the complications in the concepts of "Education in the mother tongue", "Education of the mother tongue" and "Official language" were rather eye-catching. A solution should consider the reasons why children would benefit from bilingual education and a process of rational dialogue should be initiated, he highlighted.
ERG project expert Iþýk Tüzün referred to a change in the perception of language and continued, "The value coming with a language in society might change for the better. Reserves on agreements should be removed, national legislation should be amended and research should be started as soon as possible", he claimed.
Tüzün spoke about a report on "Bilingualism and Education" prepared by Dr. Müge Ceylan and Dilara Koçbaþ and said that also within the family there might be different attitudes or false perceptions regarding languages and that the reasons for that should be determined.
Prof Tosun Terzioðlu from Sabancý University pointed out, "According to the report, bilingual education in any form is more successful than education in only one language. The pressure exposed to languages must be entirely lifted and all languages existing in Anatolia should be researched at university".
Co-author of the report Ceyhan indicated, "It is inevitable to grant this right today or tomorrow. It is very important to prepare a base in order to be ready".
The meeting, as reported by the internet news agency Bianet, was held at the Sabancý University Communications Centre in Karaköy on the banks of Istanbul's Golden Horn on 8 December. The need for an extensive preparation for bilingual education was stressed. This, according to the initiative, means first of all to prepare a multi-cultural structure in society and education at schools.
Bianet reported Batuhan Aydagül, who has worked on this area for the past two and a half years on behalf of the ERG, as saying that "Integrative policies are crucial for improving the perception in Turkey. Not only the language used in education has to be changed, but also the contents. If you do not change the contents of the history book but only the language, the message that is conveyed remains the same".
ERG Director Prof. Üstün Ergüder pointed out that having reached the state of discussing educational demands was a very important development in itself. "Before, these demands were ignored. The polarization in the public discussion sparks concern. We hope to be able to overcome discussions that lack a rational dialogue", he said.
Ergüder indicated that the complications in the concepts of "Education in the mother tongue", "Education of the mother tongue" and "Official language" were rather eye-catching. A solution should consider the reasons why children would benefit from bilingual education and a process of rational dialogue should be initiated, he highlighted.
ERG project expert Iþýk Tüzün referred to a change in the perception of language and continued, "The value coming with a language in society might change for the better. Reserves on agreements should be removed, national legislation should be amended and research should be started as soon as possible", he claimed.
Tüzün spoke about a report on "Bilingualism and Education" prepared by Dr. Müge Ceylan and Dilara Koçbaþ and said that also within the family there might be different attitudes or false perceptions regarding languages and that the reasons for that should be determined.
Prof Tosun Terzioðlu from Sabancý University pointed out, "According to the report, bilingual education in any form is more successful than education in only one language. The pressure exposed to languages must be entirely lifted and all languages existing in Anatolia should be researched at university".
Co-author of the report Ceyhan indicated, "It is inevitable to grant this right today or tomorrow. It is very important to prepare a base in order to be ready".
