The Learning of National and Local Languages in the Asia-Pacific Countries

Abstract

Taking a comparative perspective, we review in this chapter the trends and challenges in the learning of national and local languages in the Asia-Pacific countries. Our review focuses on four regions based on geographical location: South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. One multilingual and multicultural country from each of the four regions is chosen as a case study country to showcase the similarities and differences of the learning of national and local languages: India for South Asia, mainland China for East Asia, Thailand for Southeast Asia, and Fiji for Oceania. We have identified and discussed three common and interrelated themes: the learning of non-English national language(s) that have been promoted to fulfill national identity, the learning of local language(s) that have often been neglected, and the learning of English as a national or foreign language that competes with the national and local languages. The chapter concludes with suggestions for improving language learning ecology and supporting the learning of national and local languages in the Asia-Pacific countries.KeywordsAsia-PacificLanguage-in-educationLanguage policyNational languageMultilingualLanguage learning