Bidayuh as a subject at pre-school and primary levels
-
James McLellan
Abstract
This chapter focuses on the Dayak Bidayuh people of western Borneo and their efforts to develop initial literacy in their language(s) in the wider context of the Malaysian education system, in which Malay (Bahasa Malaysia) is currently the main medium of instruction. Informal narratives by teachers illustrate the stigmatisation of Bidayuh in school, and resistance to this. Whilst rural Bidayuh growing up in their traditional home areas still acquire the local variety as a first language, those in urban centres may acquire Sarawak Malay or English as their first language. Bidayuh parents and teachers distinguish between the introduction of Bidayuh as a subject of study in schools, and as a medium of instruction through which other school subjects are taught.
Abstract
This chapter focuses on the Dayak Bidayuh people of western Borneo and their efforts to develop initial literacy in their language(s) in the wider context of the Malaysian education system, in which Malay (Bahasa Malaysia) is currently the main medium of instruction. Informal narratives by teachers illustrate the stigmatisation of Bidayuh in school, and resistance to this. Whilst rural Bidayuh growing up in their traditional home areas still acquire the local variety as a first language, those in urban centres may acquire Sarawak Malay or English as their first language. Bidayuh parents and teachers distinguish between the introduction of Bidayuh as a subject of study in schools, and as a medium of instruction through which other school subjects are taught.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Dedication v
- Table of contents vii
- Preface xi
- Foreword xiii
-
Introduction
- The diversity of Asia-Pacific language ecologies 1
- Education, power and sociolinguistic mobility 13
-
East Asia
- A Yami language teacher’s journey in Taiwan 33
- Power and other issues in minority language education in China 49
- Forming a Korean identity in Japan 65
-
Southeast Asia
- Patani Malay in Thai education 91
- Language in schooling in Timor-Leste 111
- Bidayuh as a subject at pre-school and primary levels 131
- Sustaining and maintaining a minority language 153
-
Oceania
- UNESCO’s action in culture and the importance of language maintenance in the Pacific 175
- State versus community approaches to language revival 185
- Vernacular education in Papua New Guinea 205
- From despised jargon to language of education 223
- Te Reo Māori – He Reo Kura? (Māori Language – A School Language?) 243
- A study of bilingual education using Samoan language in New Zealand 261
- Index 293
- Authors 289
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Dedication v
- Table of contents vii
- Preface xi
- Foreword xiii
-
Introduction
- The diversity of Asia-Pacific language ecologies 1
- Education, power and sociolinguistic mobility 13
-
East Asia
- A Yami language teacher’s journey in Taiwan 33
- Power and other issues in minority language education in China 49
- Forming a Korean identity in Japan 65
-
Southeast Asia
- Patani Malay in Thai education 91
- Language in schooling in Timor-Leste 111
- Bidayuh as a subject at pre-school and primary levels 131
- Sustaining and maintaining a minority language 153
-
Oceania
- UNESCO’s action in culture and the importance of language maintenance in the Pacific 175
- State versus community approaches to language revival 185
- Vernacular education in Papua New Guinea 205
- From despised jargon to language of education 223
- Te Reo Māori – He Reo Kura? (Māori Language – A School Language?) 243
- A study of bilingual education using Samoan language in New Zealand 261
- Index 293
- Authors 289
