Bilingualism and the medium of instruction

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Date

2020-12

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Research Development Office, The Maldives National University

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.

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Keywords

Bilingual education, English medium instruction, Bilingual proficiency, ދުއިބަސްވެރިކަން

Citation

Hameed, H. (2020). Bilingualism and the medium of instruction. Maldives National Journal of Research. 8(2), 89-100.

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