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Synopsis: According to a 2005 EU study, Belgians have a high opinion of the need
for English. But all other evidence indicates learning English is greatly
overshadowed by the intranational divide over the languages of French, Dutch and
Flemish. English is more supplied by international schools and schools of higher
learning, but not as focused in grade school policy. For further information see
the .pdf file EUROPEANS and Their Languages in the EUROPE notes.
http://www.britishcouncil.org/eumd-information-background-belgium.htm
4/07 Belgium consists of three linguistic communities; the Flemish; French and German
speaking communities, and three regions: the Flemish; Walloon and Brussels Capital
region.
Within the federal state of Belgium the educational system is well developed. School
attendance is compulsory from the age of six to 18. For those aged 16 to 18, at least part-
time education is compulsory. Children are accepted in after-school clubs from 2.5 yrs
old. Although nursery school attendance is not compulsory, more than 90 percent of all
children go to school. Secondary education is free of charge.
The French Community of Belgium comprises more higher education institutions than
the Flemish Community. However, in an education market point of view, Flanders can be
seen as a strategic location regards the number of international education activities
organised in several Flemish universities (Infosessions on studying abroad at KuLeuven,
Ghent University conferences and seminars on internationalisation, etc).
Besides this, more and more masters are taught in English. Flanders is well known to
international students for the combined masters Dutch-English, as well as for the masters
courses taught in English: to give an example, Brussels Free University (VUB) offers 130
study programmes among 25 taught in English.
On the contrary, the French Community does not comprise any recognised institutions
offering study programmes taught in English. However, the French Community and
Flemish Community both cooperate with UK Universities, among other things, for the
exchange of students in the context of Erasmus.
http://www.culturalpolicies.net/web/belgium.php?aid=422
Language is one of the fundamental bases structuring Belgium society. In addition to the
3 official linguistic communities, there is a plurality of languages in use throughout the
country by the many immigrant communities. As the capital of Europe, Brussels is a
multilingual city.
Flemish Community
French Community
A specific department has a goal of defending and diffusing the French language. This
department develops three main types of action:
the enrichment and legibility of the French language (ex: Decree on the
Feminisation of Trade Names);
the use and the presence of the French language in sciences, information, and the
economic sector; and
sensitising the public to its language: organisation of important annual events:
"the French language festival"; "city of words".
There are several other mother-tongue languages in use throughout Wallonia other than
French. An endogenous language department brings support at the literary, linguistic and
education levels.
German-speaking Community
Protection of and giving prominence to the German language in public life is a field for
which the German-speaking Community could yet expand its services in future.
The Belgian Radio and Television Centre of the German-speaking Community (BRF),
instituted by Act of 18 July 1979, has a remit to offer public radio and television
broadcasting services in German and currently has two radio stations and one television
channel. Legal entities that broadcast radio or television programmes are obliged to
ensure protection of and prominence to the German language in their broadcasts by
moderating a certain proportion (75%) of their broadcasts in German.
A further initiative for ensuring prominence to the German language is the prizes
awarded by the Council of the German-speaking Community:
prizes for authors of literary works or works dealing with topics relating to the
German language area; and
book prizes for schoolchildren with a particularly good command of the standard
German language.
The linguistic exchange between the German-speaking Community and the other two
Communities is regulated by the agreements on co-operation. This exchange concerns
both the area of culture and media and youth policy and teaching.