Accessibility, Affordability, and Autonomy - The Role of Advocacy in French Language Education

Kathleen Stein Smith Fairleigh Dickinson University, USA

Abstract

This chapter examines the need for French language advocacy, advocacy strategies and methods, and current and potential advocacy partnerships. Not every interested learner has the opportunity to learn a language, the goal of advocacy is to expand availability of language learning in partnership with language stakeholders in government, business, and communities – and especially with parents, so that every interested learner can learn a new or heritage language. Not only has the number of programs declined, especially at the elementary and postsecondary levels, with French the most severely impacted at the college and university level, but language learning is often either not affordable or available in a local institution. Increased funding for language programs and for interested learners can make language more affordable, and online programs and resources (OERs, freely available online educational resources) can make language learning more accessible for those unable to travel to or to reside on campus, or to take classes on a fixed schedule. Online resources can also support independent language learners at all levels.

Keywords: accessibility, affordability language advocacy, French language, independent learning