Instruction of a state language within bilingual minority contexts can present unique socio-pedagogical challenges, especially when it involves two structurally different languages. This research investigates the instruction of Slovak as a state language in Slovak primary schools with Hungarian as the language of instruction and places the issue within broader Central and Eastern European minority educational frameworks, emphasizing the very nature of acquiring majority languages and the associated challenges in language instruction. The study draws on the understanding that these challenges very often stem from uneven language interactions, the differences between language use in educational settings versus in the community, and the manifold linguistic requirements of learners. The analysis of a nationwide quantitative questionnaire study on a representative sample (N=257) reveals that the pedagogical practices of teachers are heavily influenced by several factors, among which the linguistic environment of the schools, the language choices made by teachers in the classrooms, and teachers’ perceptions regarding the challenges faced by their learners are the most prominent. The findings indicate that instruction of Slovak as a second language within this context does not adhere to a consistent, standardized methodological framework; instead, it is marked by diverse pedagogical adaptations tailored to the specific institutional and linguistic circumstances.

Authors:
Klaudia Paulikova, J. Selye University, Slovakia

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Klaudia Paulikova currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the Department of English Language and Literature at the Faculty of Education at J. Selye University, Komarno, Slovakia.

Connect on Linkedin
https://sk.linkedin.com/in/klaudia-paulikov%C3%A1-508889372

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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