Bilingualism and the medium of instruction

Abstract

This paper explores Cummin’s dual iceberg metaphor in terms of bilingual proficiency in the Maldivian context and the gradual switch to English-medium instruction. Bilingual education was implemented in the Maldives on the premise that the earlier a student is introduced to a foreign language and the greater is her exposure, the better will be her proficiency in the foreign language. Research on bilingualism contradicts this naïve and intuitive understanding of how a student achieves bilingual proficiency.The paper concludes by briefly outlining the manner in which the switch to the English- medium by policy actors was made and the consequent marginalization of mother tongue.and erosion of societal values.