Schools in Switzerland abandon French classes for English instruction instead
In a growing trend, several German-speaking cantons in Switzerland are prioritizing the teaching of English over French in primary schools, a move that could potentially disrupt the country's traditional linguistic bonds and impact Swiss national cohesion.
According to a survey conducted by Starke Schule beider Basel, an association critical of the 2004 inter-cantonal concordat, 53.1% of respondents favoured English over French if only one foreign language were to be taught. This preference for English is evident in the draft plans of many cantons, although Appenzell Innerrhoden and Uri have already implemented the switch.
However, bilingual cantons and those bordering French-speaking regions continue to prioritize French alongside German, indicating a conscious effort to preserve national linguistic ties. In French-speaking Switzerland, German is the first language taught in schools, while in German-speaking Switzerland, only a minority teach French as the first language.
The 2004 agreement stipulates that two foreign languages must be introduced in primary school, one of which must be a national language. If more cantons favour English, there is a risk that this agreement could collapse, leading to a potential loss of the current language balance in Swiss schools.
The teaching of national languages in Switzerland plays a crucial role in fostering national identity and cohesion by promoting communication and cultural understanding between the country’s different linguistic regions. Learning another national language is considered more than an educational issue; it is a foundation of Switzerland's identity as a nation forged by the will of the people.
The situation discussed is an effect of globalization, with English emerging as a dominant foreign language learning priority. However, concerns about improving the teaching of German in French-speaking Switzerland and French in German-speaking Switzerland persist. Frédéric Borloz, head of Vaud's Department of Education and Vocational Training in Switzerland, and Christophe Darbellay, president of the Conference of Cantonal Directors of Public Education, are among those advocating for improved language education.
Switzerland’s education system overall emphasizes multilingualism with four official languages—German, French, Italian, and Romansh—creating a multilingual, culturally rich environment. This environment enhances intercultural exchange and a shared Swiss identity developed through mutual language learning and respect for linguistic diversity. The presence of language schools offering courses in national languages further supports adult language acquisition and integration across linguistic groups.
In conclusion, teaching national languages in Swiss schools is a key mechanism supporting national identity and cohesion by enabling shared communication across different language communities, fostering cultural understanding, and maintaining Switzerland’s tradition of multilingualism despite recent challenges posed by the rise of English as a foreign language learning priority.
- The advocates for improved language education, such as Frédéric Borloz and Christophe Darbellay, are concerned about the rising priority of English as a foreign language in Swiss schools, as it could potentially disrupt the balance of national languages and hinder the development of a shared Swiss identity.
- Despite the increasing trend of prioritizing English-and-self-development in some German-speaking cantons, politics and general news in Switzerland continue to emphasize the importance of maintaining and enhancing the teaching of the national languages in fostering education-and-self-development, preserving national cohesion, and promoting a multilingual, culturally rich environment.
