Research On The Language Education Policy In Switzerland Since The Late 1980s

Language is not only an important communication media, a symbol of people and a precious culture legacy, but also a significant factor for social development. In globalization age, different country has different orientation for language education.Switzerland lies at the heart of Europe. It borders Germany in the north, Italy in the south, France in the west, and Austria and the Principality of Liechtenstein in the east. Switzerland has multilingual foundation. As we all know that Switzerland is a multinational and multicultural country with four official languages. Its language education policy has got high evaluation in international society. Studying such problems as phylogeny, status quo, background, characteristics and problems of language education policy, we can benefit a lot whether to enrich language education theory or to reform language education in China. Swiss language education policy as a special example plays an important role on the field of language education theory and practice.Swiss language education policy has undergone three periods since 1980s: first, the 1989 Swiss government report period. Second, the Swiss EDK report period. Third, the Harmos Project for language in 2002 period.Swiss language education policy has following characteristics: first, emphasis on national language on a basis of language equality and multiculturalism. Second, improvement of English education for national core power. Third, pluralism of implementation in language education policy. Fourth, transparency of language education policy. Of course, every coin has two sides. Swiss language education bears the problems of slowness and high capital input.Swiss language education policy teaches us that language education policy is influenced by economic and political factors. It should have proper orientation for language. Furthermore, language education policy should have national and international perspective. In the future, Chinese language education policy should pay more attention to scientific and democratic development of language education policy, change its utility orientation and solve the problems of unity and differences of implementation in language education.