Explaining Multilingual Education: Information on Some Tough Questions

Abstract

A 1999 seminar on multilingual education has resulted in a book which summarizes the investigative work of the seminar participants from ten countries. This article provides a synopsis of the book. The evidence suggests that countries which do not develop and implement mother tongue education programs will incur long-term disadvantages out-weighing any short-term gains that result from using only one language of education.