Linguistic security & resilience: English is extremely useful but not enough, believing that other foreign languages (especially “small” ones) are "useless" or a "luxury" makes societies vulnerable and, ultimately, threatens democracy. Read the wise words of Anna Verschik:
https://news.err.ee/1609986621/anna-verschik-of-linguistic-security
#linguistics #ForeignLanguageTeaching #LanguagePolicy #resilience
Anna Verschik: Of linguistic security

Not every resident of Estonia needs to master four or five foreign languages, but alongside those who know English, there should be more people who can at least read less widely spoken languages, writes Anna Verschik.

Eesti Rahvusringhääling | ERR
Judge orders Sask. Human Rights Commission to hear complaint about hospital kiosk language policy
A Court of King's Bench judge has ordered the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission to take a second look at a complaint it originally dismissed. The complaint concerns a policy requiring employees of a Starbucks kiosk at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon to only speak English or Fre...
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/ruh-starbucks-kiosk-human-rights-comlaint-tagalog-9.7147420?cmp=rss
Judge orders Sask. Human Rights Commission to hear complaint about hospital kiosk language policy
A Court of King's Bench judge has ordered the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission to take a second look at a complaint it originally dismissed. The complaint concerns a policy requiring employees of a Starbucks kiosk at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon to only speak English or Fre...
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/ruh-starbucks-kiosk-human-rights-comlaint-tagalog-9.7147420?cmp=rss
Judge orders Sask. Human Rights Commission to hear complaint about hospital kiosk language policy
A Court of King's Bench judge has ordered the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission to take a second look at a complaint it originally dismissed. The complaint concerns a policy requiring employees of a Starbucks kiosk at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon to only speak English or Fre...
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/ruh-starbucks-kiosk-human-rights-comlaint-tagalog-9.7147420?cmp=rss

The central government led by Anwar has increased the pressure to accept Bahasa Melayu. Is this fair? Is this producing sincere Bahasa Melayu speakers?

#Malaysia #Politics #BahasaMelayu #LanguagePolicy #AnwarIbrahim #Government #Fairness #Culture #LinguisticRights #Education

Kerajaan pusat yang dipimpin oleh Anwar telah meningkat lagi paksaan untuk menerima Bahasa Melayu. Adakah ini adil? Adakah ini melahirkan penutur Bahasa Melayu yang ikhlas?

#Malaysia #Politics #BahasaMelayu #LanguagePolicy #AnwarIbrahim #Government #Fairness #Culture #LinguisticRights #Education

@SimonRoyHughes There are languages that are losing speakers, and are on track to no longer be spoken, like Sámi and Kven.

#Icelandic is not one of those languages, and it wasn't under Danish rule. 93% of the population of Iceland are native, daily speakers.

Jakobsdóttir's anecdote that "kids in Iceland are even conversing in English sometimes between themselves" is not a serious challenge to this established pattern.

https://grieve-smith.com/blog/2018/01/remembering-alan-hudson/

#linguistics #LanguagePolicy #LanguageExtinction

FG declares English-only teaching policy across Nigerian schools today. Read who said it and why. Read full story below #ValidUpdates #Education #LanguagePolicy #Nigeria #Schools

https://validupdates.com/2025/11/fg-declares-english-only-teaching-policy-across-nigerian-schools/

FG declares English-only teaching policy across Nigerian schools

FG declares English-only policy for teaching across Nigerian schools, citing exam gains and new guidelines.

ValidUpdates

FG declares English-only teaching policy across Nigerian schools

Key Points

  • The ministry cancels the national language policy in schools. English will be the sole medium for teaching nationwide.
  • Minister Dr Tunji Alausa announced the move at a conference. He said exam performance improved under English instruction.
  • The British Council backed inclusive language use in education. Officials called the policy evidence-based rather than symbolic.

The Federal Government has ended use of indigenous languages in schools. Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa announced the directive on Wednesday in Abuja.

Image Credit:Photo credit: / Instagram

Dr Alausa spoke at the Language in Education International Conference 2025. FG drops mathematics for arts entry is one recent policy shift the ministry cited.

He said mother tongues had linked to poor exam results over years. The ministry called English a unifying tool for Nigeria’s many groups.

Rationale and evidence cited

Officials said research showed English-taught students did better in WAEC and JAMB. They argued consistent use of English helps exam preparation and teaching pace.

The British Council said it supports inclusive learning across Sub-Saharan Africa. ASUU strike plan prompts federal government warning shows tensions in the sector.

Some educators warned removing mother tongue may harm early learning. Others called for stronger teacher training and clearer transition plans.

What schools and students may expect

The ministry said schools must teach in English from early grades. It promised new guidelines, training and funding support for teachers.

Critics urged dialogue to protect local languages and culture in schools. The ministry said it will keep cultural programmes outside the classroom.

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#britishCouncil #education #exams #federalGovernment #languagePolicy #schools #tunjiAlausa #validupdates