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A proposal for developing a free and publicly available archive of literacy materials for minority languages, particularly where MLE (Multilingual Education) programs are running.
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Grow by Sharing: how States can help each
other advance Tribal literacy using the Internet and
UNICODE
Challengenges for MLE: 1) The Increasing Need for MT Reading
Before starting classes in an MLE school, the local community makes a big effort in developing Big Books, Small Books, Alphabet charts and other TLMs
Challengenges for MLE: 1) The Increasing Need for MT Reading
Before starting classes in an MLE school, the local community makes a big effort in developing Big Books, Small Books, Alphabet charts and other TLMs
Challengenges for MLE: 1) The Increasing Need for MT Reading
Before starting classes in an MLE school, the local community makes a big effort in developing Big Books, Small Books, Alphabet charts and other TLMs
Challengenges for MLE: 1) The Increasing Need for MT Reading
These are then checked in the community for naturalness and accuracy
Challengenges for MLE: 1) The Increasing Need for MT Reading
Each year, children in MLE programs need more and more literature in the Mother Tongue as well as the state language (L2)
Challengenges for MLE: 1) The Increasing Need for MT Reading
Each year, children in MLE programs need more and more literature in the Mother Tongue as well as the state language (L2)
Hypothetical estimates of reading needed by subject area (numbers not to be taken literally) =>
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
Year IYear 2Year 3Year 4Year 5
Language MathEVS ScienceSocial Sciences Art Ed.Health & PE Work & Ed.Education for Peace Habitat & Learning
Challengenges for MLE: 2) Multiple Scripts
in these states... ... which use the these scripts
Orissa OriyaJharkhand Devanagri
West Bengal BanglaAssam Assamese
Tribal and Ethnolinguistic minorities are often found in multiple states. For example, we find Munda,
Oraon, Santhali people...
For MLE to be effective ...
a Munda girl living in ...
... should learn to read her MT using:
Orissa OriyaJharkhand Devanagri
West Bengal BanglaAssam Assamese
Challengenges for MLE: 2) Multiple Scripts
Challengenges for MLE: 3) Keeping Materials Locally
At times MLE programs are successful in designing and developing MT curriculum but then fail to distribute the materials in a timely manner.
In some cases an entire year’s worth of language material is held up in press, or at some other level of distribution.
When these blocks come, local communities can become separated from their own materials
This takes ownership of MLE curriculum out of the hands of the tribal community and places it back into the hands of mainstream systems.
How to overcome these challenges?
1) The Increasing Need for MT Reading Materials
=> Grow by Sharing
All ContributeStates with more materials initially contribute the
most.
All ContributeThis helps new programs start up in new areas
All Contribute
2) Multiple Scripts Keep Data in UnicodeWhen materials are keyed into the computer using a UNICODE font, the information can be converted automatically to any Indian Script.
By using UNICODE, states can share the burden of preparing materials in many languages
Unicode: easily transliterate between Indic Scripts
The language and sounds stay the same - only the script changes.
3) Keep Reading Materials Locally Accessible
Use web-based storage
Archiving - Key Concepts
Availability
Usability
Availability means Sharing
Availability means Sharing
Usability means using Simple Formats
Finally...
Thank You
