Affiliation:
1. Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences
2. Aba Tibetan Middle School in Aba County
Abstract
Abstract
The medium of instruction (MoI) in the bilingual education of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture is
regulated through two modes. The first stipulates that Putonghua should be used for most school subjects, while the second
requires exclusive use of Putonghua as the MoI for all subjects. In 2023, a field trip was conducted to investigate the ongoing
implementation of MoI in bilingual schools for Tibetan students in Aba Prefecture.
This research initially examines the current bilingual education situation for Tibetans in two local schools, with
a focus on classroom teaching supported by the first MoI mode. It reveals that translanguaging pedagogy is a primary practical
strategy employed to adapt to the transition from the first MoI mode to the second. Furthermore, it scrutinises attitudes and
localised strategies of teachers, students and parents towards this transitional process, aiming to provide a comprehensive
understanding of the current medium of instruction for Tibetan students.
The findings indicate that (1) teachers’ translanguaging practices significantly contribute across three
dimensions; (2) stakeholders’ attitudes towards bilingual education transformation vary; and (3) partial national initiatives
offer support to promote the transition in different ways. Finally, this paper briefly summarises existing discrepancies related
to MoI transitions and translanguaging practice, and offers insights into future developments in MoI transition for minority
ethnic students attending bilingual schools in China.
Funder
The Project of Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences
Publisher
John Benjamins Publishing Company
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