The purpose of this policy is to describe the role of heritage languages in the development of a multicultural society and to describe Saskatchewan Education, Training and Employment's commitment to in-school and out-of-school heritage language programming.
For the purpose of this policy, Saskatchewan Education, Training and Employment includes as heritage languages*, languages other than Aboriginal languages or the two official languages (English and French).
Inherent in federal and provincial legislation and policies is a recognition that heritage languages are fundamental to the multicultural nature of our province and our country. Heritage language instruction in Saskatchewan has been funded both federally and provincially. Many heritage language programs are operated throughout the province by ethnocultural and community groups. More than twenty-five languages are taught. In addition, some heritage languages are taught within the public school system. Federal and provincial policies and activities supporting both types of heritage language instruction are outlined below:
Federal Legislation and Policies
1969 Royal Commission on Bilingualism & Biculturalism suggests that languages other than English and French be incorporated into the public elementary school curricula.
1971 Pronouncement of a national policy of "multiculturalism within a bilingual framework" provides the framework for subsidies for out-of-school heritage language programs, support for materials development, sponsorship for national heritage languages conferences, and the establishment of a national heritage language centre.
1988 The Multiculturalism Act of Canada states that it is the policy of the Government of Canada to "facilitate the acquisition, retention and use of all languages that contribute to the multicultural heritage of Canada."
1989 Legislation is passed establishing the Canadian Heritage Languages Institute. Located in Edmonton, this institute will focus on national teacher training and program development. Emphasis will be given to the production of Canadian learning materials, public education, and research into all aspects of Canada's heritage languages.
Provincial Policies and Activities
1968 An amendment to The School Act permits the establishment of designated French schools. Prior to this date, English was the only language which could be used as a language of instruction in Saskatchewan schools.
1974 The School Act is amended to permit a language other than English to be taught or used as a language of instruction for a limited time of the school day.
*French and Aboriginal Languages are served by other specific programs through the Official Minority Language Office (OMLO) and the Indian and Métis Education Branch within Saskatchewan Education, Training and Employment.
1978 The Education Act provides that a heritage language may be used as a language of instruction 100% of the time in Kindergarten and up to 50% of the time in Grades 1 to 12.
1986 The Report of the Minister of Education's Advisory Committee on Heritage Languages provides recommendations for heritage language programming in Saskatchewan.
1989 The Report of the Task Force on Multiculturalism emphasizes the cultural and economic importance of heritage languages.
1989 The Minister of Education establishes a heritage language liaison/reference committee.
1990 The Government of Saskatchewan releases Building Our Multicultural Future Together, its response to the Report of the Task Force on Multiculturalism.
An educational system which values the cultural diversity of its students and makes heritage language learning accessible enhances multiculturalism in Saskatchewan and in Canada.
This educational system makes students aware of the personal and social value of heritage languages. It emphasizes to all students, educators and parents that Saskatchewan is strengthened culturally and economically by the linguistic diversity of its population.
Saskatchewan is enriched by many cultures and languages.
The educational system has an important role to play in keeping Saskatchewan's heritage languages alive. The school, in partnership with the family and the community, transmits to children and young adults the knowledge and values which society considers important. When heritage languages are taught through the regular educational system, students receive a powerful message about the value and worth of heritage languages in Saskatchewan society.
Heritage language education should consist of formal, planned, structured programs that are intended to increase students' knowledge of heritage languages. Heritage language programs:
The study of a heritage language allows students to develop communication skills in the language being studied, to develop a sensitivity to the culture, and to develop skills and attitudes necessary for learning additional languages. Encouraging students to take pride in their own cultures promotes respect for members of other cultures.This province's strength and uniqueness come in large part from its linguistic and cultural diversity. Language instruction is integral to the maintenance of culture and thus to Saskatchewan's identity.
Teaching a variety of languages facilitates individual and societal participation in the global economy. Because Saskatchewan's economic well-being is dependent on the rest of the world, language learning has an economic value as well as a cultural one.
Saskatchewan Education, Training and Employment supports the provision of opportunities for students to acquire, maintain, or regain languages, through in-school or out-of-school programming.
All provincial government services for heritage languages will be coordinated by Saskatchewan Education, Training and Employment. This includes both regular in-school programs and out-of-school programs for preschool to grade twelve. Universities, colleges and community language programs provide language education for adults. Saskatchewan Education, Training and Employment's responsibilities include the revision of The Education Act and Regulations relating to issues concerning:
Saskatchewan's Goals of Education emphasize that education is a shared responsibility. Because community and cultural groups are both advocates for, and providers of, heritage language instruction, this principle is fundamental to the implementation of heritage language education.
Saskatchewan Education, Training and Employment
Policy for heritage languages is implemented by a unit within Saskatchewan Education, Training and Employment in cooperation with the partners in education. Aboriginal languages and the official languages of English and French are administered under separate guidelines and administrative structures that exist in Saskatchewan Education, Training and Employment.
To provide students with an opportunity to learn heritage languages, Saskatchewan Education, Training and Employment will:
In order to serve the needs of students, the Saskatchewan Government Correspondence School may provide heritage language classes. This service may be offered through the existing textbook/audio cassette format or by distance education using Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN) television programming. Credits may be granted at the 10, 20, and 30 levels.
School Divisions
The role of school divisions includes providing in-school courses and programs appropriate to their communities. Their role extends to providing access to facilities and equipment for out-of-school programs, contingent upon receipt of recognized funding from Saskatchewan Education, Training and Employment.
School divisions are encouraged to respond to requests for consultative and supervisory assistance from community organizations providing out-of-school courses and programs.
Maintaining the highest possible standard of instruction is a goal of both school divisions and community organizations. When out-of-school classes are being offered at the 10, 20, or 30 level, school divisions may assist the heritage language school to recruit a certified teacher. If after the normal recruiting procedure, a teacher who is otherwise ineligible for a professional teaching certificate is hired, the school division will assist the heritage language school by applying to the board of Teacher Education and Certification for a Provisional Certificate for the non-certified teacher.
Heritage Language Organizations
Heritage language organizations such as the Saskatchewan Organization for Heritage Languages, the Saskatoon Multilingual School, and the Regina Heritage Language School continue to play a major role in the delivery of heritage language instruction in Saskatchewan.
In addition to organizing out-of-school programming, the ethnocultural community will continue to serve as a stimulus for the establishment of in-school heritage language classes. When there are enough students to make up a class, community organizations may request that the school division offer the classes through the regular educational system.
Other classes may be offered by the school division outside regular school hours. If the class is taken for an academic credit at the 10, 20, or 30 level, the regular prerequisites of Saskatchewan Education, Training and Employment must be met.
The implementation of any policy will succeed only to the extent that it receives support from all members of the community. Thus, Saskatchewan Education, Training and Employment seeks the support of the educational partners in implementing this policy for heritage language education.
The following publications were consulted during the preparation of this Heritage Language Education Policy.
Building our multicultural future together: Government of Saskatchewan's response to task force report "Multiculturalism in Saskatchewan". (1990). Regina: Saskatchewan Culture, Multiculturalism and Recreation.
Cummins, J. (1984). Heritage languages in Canada: Research perspectives. Toronto: OISE Press.
Education programs: Languages other than English or French. (1988). Edmonton: Alberta Education.
Heritage language programs. (n.d.) Winnipeg: Manitoba Department of Education and Training.
International languages: Curriculum guidelines: Part A, Policy and program considerations. (1990). Toronto: Ontario Ministry of Education.
Language education policy for Alberta. (1988). Edmonton: Alberta Education.
Multicultural education in Saskatchewan: A vision for the future. (1989). Regina: Saskatchewan Association for Multicultural Education.
Multiculturalism in Saskatchewan: Report to Ministers' Committee on Multiculturalism. (1989). Regina: Task Force on Multiculturalism.
A proposal for action. (1987). Toronto: Ontario Ministry of Education.
Report of the Minister's Advisory Committee on Heritage Languages. (1986). Regina: Saskatchewan Education.
Special language credits policy. (n.d.). Winnipeg: Manitoba Department of Education and Training.
Statement of minority education in the provinces and territories of Canada. (1983). Ottawa: Council of Ministers of Education of Canada.
Wieler, E.E. (1987). Multicultural education: Theory, policy, practice and issues: A literature review. SIDRU Report No. 3. Regina: Saskatchewan Instructional Development and Research Unit. University of Regina.