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Diwan (school)

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Diwan is a federation of Breton language-medium schools in Brittany (France).

Concept

The Diwan concept, which allows children to learn French and Breton through immersion was inspired by the Gaelscoileanna movement in Ireland, Ikastolak movement in the Basque Country and the Ysgolion Meithrin movement in Wales.

At the age of 2-6, Breton is the sole language of eduction. At the age of 7 and a half, French is introduced during 2 hours out of 26 school hours. When they are 10, French (6 hours out of 23) is taught at the same level of Breton. This is the same in college, but in addition to that, a third language (English) and a fourth language (Spanish or German) is taught.

History

The first Diwan (Breton: seed) school was created in 1977 at Lampaul-Ploudalmézeau (Breton: Lambaol-Gwitalmeze) near Brest, because the centralized French state schools were unwilling to offer the Breton language in the curriculum. The initial nursery school was followed by the first primary school in 1980, the first collège in 1988 and the first lycée in 1994.

In 2003-2004, 2.761 pupils attended Diwan schools throughout Brittany at all levels from preschool to the Baccalaureat. A Diwan preschool opened in Paris in September 2004. The network included 35 primary-level schools as of the start of the academic year 2007.

In 2008, Diwan schools are celebrating their 30th anniversary and organizing Ar Redadeg, a non-stop race through Brittany in support of Breton language learning in schools, which has little support from French central government.

See also

References

External links



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Last updated on Monday July 07, 2008 at 15:11:15 PDT (GMT -0700)
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