Language Policy in Multilingual Workplaces: Management, Practices and Beliefs in Banks in Luxembourg.

<p>For decades the primary focus of language policy research has been activities by states and their agencies, while language policy activities in workplaces have attracted little attention. Addressing this gap, explicit and implicit dimensions of language policies are investigated in financial institutions operating in the globalised context of international banking in multilingual Luxembourg. Three complementary theoretical frameworks are used to extend language policy research to include not just explicit aspects of language policy (language policy statements), but also implicit aspects (the language practices and beliefs of a community). Spolsky's (2004) theory is used to identify and analyse three components of language policy (management, practices and beliefs); Language Management Theory (LMT) (Jernudd and Neustupny, 1987) is used to explore one specific component of language policy (management), and Shohamy's (2006) framework is used to explore the complex interaction between management, practices and beliefs. The data base for the study comprised two phases: the first phase involved interviews with managers in ten Luxembourg banks regarding language policy, followed in the second phase by questionnaires and focus-group discussions with employees from three case study banks regarding language use and beliefs. This empirical data suggests that even in banks where English has been formalised as the working language, multilingual mechanisms (recruitment and language courses) contribute to employees' practices effectively creating, a top-down multilingual implicit (de facto) policy. The data from international banks in Luxembourg suggests that a flexible approach to language management is useful in workplaces where communication is complex, multi-faceted and dynamic. The bottom-up perspective indicates that employees at international banks use English as a lingua franca (ELF) alongside other languages, negotiating language choice across speech communities and linguistic repertoires, for transactional and relational purposes. These multilingual employees highly value English as the most common language in banks for including and involving all, highlighting its vital role in banks. Because the data provides a strong argument for the consideration of both top down and bottom up perspectives, the results have theoretical significance for our understanding of language policy. Overall, this thesis provides insights into the complex nature of language policy in multilingual workplaces, including the importance of both top-down and bottom-up pressures on language practices, the crucial role of ELF and the relevance of attitudes towards ELF and other languages at local and global levels of management.</p>

Language Policy in Multilingual Workplaces: Management, Practices and Beliefs in Banks in Luxembourg.

<p>For decades the primary focus of language policy research has been activities by states and their agencies, while language policy activities in workplaces have attracted little attention. Addressing this gap, explicit and implicit dimensions of language policies are investigated in financial institutions operating in the globalised context of international banking in multilingual Luxembourg. Three complementary theoretical frameworks are used to extend language policy research to include not just explicit aspects of language policy (language policy statements), but also implicit aspects (the language practices and beliefs of a community). Spolsky's (2004) theory is used to identify and analyse three components of language policy (management, practices and beliefs); Language Management Theory (LMT) (Jernudd and Neustupny, 1987) is used to explore one specific component of language policy (management), and Shohamy's (2006) framework is used to explore the complex interaction between management, practices and beliefs. The data base for the study comprised two phases: the first phase involved interviews with managers in ten Luxembourg banks regarding language policy, followed in the second phase by questionnaires and focus-group discussions with employees from three case study banks regarding language use and beliefs. This empirical data suggests that even in banks where English has been formalised as the working language, multilingual mechanisms (recruitment and language courses) contribute to employees' practices effectively creating, a top-down multilingual implicit (de facto) policy. The data from international banks in Luxembourg suggests that a flexible approach to language management is useful in workplaces where communication is complex, multi-faceted and dynamic. The bottom-up perspective indicates that employees at international banks use English as a lingua franca (ELF) alongside other languages, negotiating language choice across speech communities and linguistic repertoires, for transactional and relational purposes. These multilingual employees highly value English as the most common language in banks for including and involving all, highlighting its vital role in banks. Because the data provides a strong argument for the consideration of both top down and bottom up perspectives, the results have theoretical significance for our understanding of language policy. Overall, this thesis provides insights into the complex nature of language policy in multilingual workplaces, including the importance of both top-down and bottom-up pressures on language practices, the crucial role of ELF and the relevance of attitudes towards ELF and other languages at local and global levels of management.</p>

Mutual Learning for Policy Impact: Insights from CORE. Shaping Policy and Practice with Intersectional Gender Responsive Evidence (in the Context of Covid-19)

On the 19 and 20 October 2021, the Institute of Development Studies hosted an online dialogue which aimed to enhance efforts to inform and influence policy, management, and practice with intersectional gender-responsive evidence by sharing learning between CORE cohort members from their approaches and experiences at country and regional levels. The event was attended by over 30 participants from 19 partners across the CORE cohort and highlighted the experiences of CORE partners Glasswing and the Arab Reform Initiative (ARI). This learning guide captures the practical insights and advice from the event, to help inform the practice of participants and other projects across the portfolio.

A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF POLICIES TO FIGHT ILLITERACY AND SCHOOL DROPOUT IN RURAL MOROCCO

Why, despite enormous efforts to reduce illiteracy and dropout rates in Morocco, are rural populations the most affected by these two scourges? The dominant explanation is the limited provision of education and literacy in rural areas. Previous studies in the fields of sociology of education and educational policy management have analyzed the problems of illiteracy and school dropout separately. These studies have not been comprehensive enough to explain the complex relationships between illiteracy, school dropout and the new dynamics of rural areas. Thus, this article aims to analyze the national strategies for education and literacy in rural areas in Morocco, and to show their limitations, in terms of quantitative and qualitative achievements. We believe that actions to combat illiteracy and school dropout, particularly in rural areas, must be comprehensive and more integrated. This is why we propose some improvements for the success of the national framework of intervention in education and literacy.

Russian governance reforms sustain old political ways

Significance Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has the backing he needs to deliver his efficiency programme, which still involves top-down government in which recipients have little say. Impacts The prime minister formally ranks second in the hierarchy, but Mishustin is not so far viewed as a potential successor to Putin. Macroeconomic policy management is assigned to specific officials and is not so much Mishustin's mandate. Mishustin will be judged on the government's handling of the pandemic and may be held accountable if the Kremlin needs a scapegoat.