Attitudes towards bilingualism : the case of two Greek islands

Abstract

Bilingualism, and more recently plurilingualism, is attracting considerable attention due to the increasing influx of people with different ethnolinguistic background to Western societies as well as the fact that we live in a globalised world. This study presents the results of a large-scale survey administered to 1,727 students enrolled in Greek schools in the islands of Rhodes and Symi during the scholastic year 2002-2003. Using an adapted version of Baker’s questionnaire (see Baker, 2001), the study attempted to investigate students’ attitudes toward bilingualism. The results indicate a general positive attitude toward bilingualism. Most of the students were aware of the fact that knowing more than one language would be useful in their adult life, particularly in view of the professional and economic rewards that this brings in an increasingly globalised world. It was however found that the subjects of the study were not so positively disposed toward bilingualism as a societal phenomenon. The study findings are discussed in relation to language education policy in Greece.