Minority Language Policy and Practice in China: The Need for Multicultural Education

Abstract

In this article, we examine minority language policy and practice in China and discuss the large gaps between what is stipulated by law and what occurs in practice. Based on a literature review and findings from our study, we contend that adopting multicultural education in China would help law makers and local officials value and respect minority languages and culture and help teachers design culturally relevant curricula. The overall purpose for multicultural education in China would be to create a culture and language environment for minority students to improve academic achievement and to address social injustice.

Responsibility of People’s Republic of China for Minority Based on ICERD: Uyghur Case

“…Other obstacle is the poverty, where is lacking of infrastructure and lack of bilingual teachers. The State ISSN 2579-5198 Vol 15 No (2) 2019 VARIA JUSTICIA Education Department Research Center stated that 37.8% of the schools do not have enough desks, 22.3% have unsafe classrooms, and 32.5% did not have enough funds to buy teaching aids in 2003 (Wang, 2009).…”

Becoming Bilingual in School and Home in Tibetan Areas of China: Stories of Struggle

“…Moreover, it was a time when 'minority policy' was applied in Tibetan areas (Iredale Bilik & Su: 2001). Bass (1998), Mackerras (1994Mackerras ( , 1995, Zhou (2009), Wang, Y. andJ. Phillion (2009) Moreover, strong patriotism in education and the preservation of minority language and culture were considered as well (Bass, 1998).…”

“…One of my informants started to have Chinese classes in the first year of primary school. In addition, Wang and Phillion (2009) indicate that patriotic education has been strengthened in the school curriculum (Wang and Phillion, 2009).…”

The Silenced Interpreter: A Case Study of Language and Ideology in the Chinese Criminal Court

“…53 minority groups have their own spoken languages, and more than 20 have writing systems [30]. It is estimated that around 120 languages are spoken by ethnic minorities [37]. In the process of language planning, Putonghua was promoted as a standardised speech throughout the nation.…”