A Study on Second Language Education in New Zealand from the Perspective of Sociology of Language

这项研究的目的是找出在新西兰推行的语言政策和语言教育政策中存在的问题和障碍。为此，从社会语言学（狭义的语言社会学）的角度考虑了与促进政策密切相关的学校教育中第二语言教育的现状，并在2003-2006年期间在该国进行了各种调查。首先，为了明确第二语言教育的现状和学习者的态度，对中学第二语言学习者进行了问卷调查。然后根据调查所得的数据，利用SPSS和Amos统计程序，采用通径分析、因子分析等多种统计方法进行分析。其次，在上述定量调查的基础上，对语言教师进行了关于第二语言教育现状和近期趋势的访谈调查，对语言学习者进行了关于语言学习的访谈调查，进行了定性确认。第三，对坎特伯雷大学、梅西大学、怀卡托大学、奥克兰大学和奥克兰理工大学的研究人员和教学人员以及新西兰教育部的政策负责人进行了访谈调查。在这些访谈中获得了本研究的宝贵数据和信息。上述调查的结果发现了以下方面的问题：(1)课程设置，(2)第二语言必修，(3)缺乏教师，(4)学习者对语言教育的态度。解决这些问题需要政府部门实施更积极的语言教育政策，需要国家制定全面的语言政策。在研究期间，包括中期报告在内的研究结果在若干期刊和学术刊物上发表。

The aim of this study was to identify problems and impediments in the language policy and language education policies promoted in New Zealand. For this purpose, the current state of second language education in school education, which is closely related to the promoted policies, was considered from a sociolinguistic (in a narrower sense, sociology of language) perspective, and various surveys were conducted in that country over the years 2003-2006.First, to clarify the status of second language education and the attitudes of learners, questionnaire surveys were conducted of second language learners in secondary school. An analysis was then conducted using various statistical methods including path analysis and factor analysis with the SPSS and Amos statistical programs, based on the data obtained in the surveys. Second, in addition to the above quantitative surveys, interview surveys were conducted of language teachers on the current status and recent trends in second language education, and of language learners on language learning, for qualitative confirmation. Third, interview surveys were conducted of researchers and teaching faculty at the University of Canterbury, Massey University, University of Waikato, University of Auckland, and Auckland University of Technology, and people in charge of policy at the New Zealand Ministry of Education. Valuable data and information for this study were obtained in these interviews.The results of the above surveys identified problems and issues in the areas of (1) curriculum, (2) making a second language compulsory, (3) lack of teachers, and (4) attitude of learners toward language education. Dealing with these issues will require that government agencies implement more active language education policies, and that the nation works out a comprehensive language policy.During the study period, study results including interim reports were published in several journals and academic volumes.