IMAK on more English in primary school: It's a killer language

English is the global common language, and therefore it - along with Greenlandic - must be strengthened in primary schools.

This was decided by Inatsisartut last week. A decision that IMAK (the teachers' union in Greenland) both agrees and disagrees with, because while supporting the strengthening of Greenlandic, they are nervous about the consequences of more English teaching.

- There are really many children who speak English, and the Greenlandic language may be in danger because of it.

- We need to significantly strengthen the Greenlandic language in primary schools if we are not to lose our language, says Elna Heilmann, chairwoman of IMAK.

With the decision, Inatsisartut has taken the first step towards English becoming the first foreign language. Oqaasileriffik (the language secretariat) has warned that introducing English as the first foreign language too quickly could harm the Greenlandic language. A concern IMAK shares:

- With regard to English being the first foreign language, we think that one should be very careful and that it should be properly investigated before making a decision. We believe that English can be dangerous for us in Greenland because it takes over. As they say: It is a killer language (ed.).

A killer language is a dominant language that displaces or eradicates another language because more and more people switch to it.

More teachers and a better working environment

Inatsisartut also agreed that Greenlandic should be the first priority. And here there are several places where you can make an impact, believes Elna Heilmann.

First and foremost, courses and further training for teachers.

- Today we have a major shortage of teachers, and this affects almost the entire coast, she says.

Elna Heilmann points out, for example, that most schools prioritize having trained teachers at the middle and oldest levels, and therefore the youngest level is given lower priority, where the students do not have teachers who are trained to teach Greenlandic.

- And that affects the very foundation, she says.

But there are fewer and fewer applicants for teacher training, and therefore efforts must be made to make it more attractive to become a teacher.

- And it is understandable that young people do not want to take a teacher training, because the conditions in primary schools are terrible.

- And that's why we have to do something for the elementary school. So it's courses, but also that locally in the municipalities something is done about the working environment.

The teachers are not prepared

Inatsisartut decided on Thursday, April 16, that Naalakkersuisut is required to prepare an action plan for strengthening both Greenlandic and English teaching in primary schools with a view to strengthening and preserving the status and use of the Greenlandic language.

Elna Heilmann states that it is important to involve all users in the study of how to strengthen English teaching without harming the Greenlandic language.

Quite practically, it will also mean a major upheaval for the teachers who teach in primary schools on a daily basis.

If English becomes the first foreign language, are the teachers prepared to teach so much in English?

- No, they are not. We do not think so, says Elna Heilmann.

The action plan must be available by the spring session of 2027 at the latest.