Bilingual Education in Minority Language Contexts: When a high level of linguistic competence is not enough

Much of the debate on bilingualism and interculturality has focused on the cultural and linguistic diversity of indigenous populations in regions such as South America. In Europe and North America, the educational rights of migrant children have been emphasised. The needs of speakers of regional, minority or lesser-used languages have tended to be overlooked and hence received less attention in the literature. The most distinctive differences between minority language speakers and their compatriots are, on the surface at least, linguistic rather than cultural. This paper explores current discourse and research about the linguistic identity of speakers of minority or lesser-used languages, living in communities where world languages predominate. My background in Irish-medium education in Ireland has been a driving force in questioning and understanding the factors within schools and across the wider community and society that influence active bilingualism. In my experience, minority language speakers seek to negotiate a bi- or pluri-lingual identity. The role of minority language education in supporting individual emerging identity is complex. Evidence from the Irish context suggests that while the Irish-medium education system is successful in generating competent bilingual speakers, the graduates of this system don't necessarily become active bilinguals. Power, prestige and status lie with the dominant language and students may consider the minority language redundant with limited function. Emerging evidence suggests that the school environment may have limited influence in shaping teenagers' bilingual identity and this paper will explore why competence is not enough.