Training Language policy for primary education in Genk .

In the context of the educational policy of the city of Genk, it appeared there is a need for a stronger policy making capacity in the schools of Genk. Taking into account the challenges concerning language the schools of Genk are faced with, language policy is considered a good trigger to strengthen the policy making capacity of the schools, and to make it concrete. The Centre for Language and Education (CLE) was asked to develop a training program concerning language policy for teachers of primary schools in Genk. It is important that this training connects with the ongoing initiatives resulting in a strengthening of the schools' expertise. The CLE has years of experience with trainings concerning language proficiency in general, and organizes the training Expert in language policy for two years in Leuven now. The training Expert in language policy is a total package, aimed at training to become expert with respect to language policy (building stones and processes). What is unique to this training is the attention for coaching proficiencies: the participants learn how to coach their school team, in order to develop a language policy that is supported by the school as a whole.

Keywords:Language policy, Policy making capacity, Training

Disciplines:Theory and methodology of literary studies