Implementing good practices in language policy in North Macedonia: experiences and challenges

The linguistic diversity of North Macedonia offers a solid foundation for the development of an inclusive and sustainable language policy. A key example of a good practice is the 2019 Law on the Use of Languages, which expanded the official use of Albanian at the national level. Its implementation in public administration, education, and healthcare has led to initial positive outcomes, including bilingual documentation, dual-language signage in public institutions, and training programs for bilingual staff.
At the local level, multilingual municipalities such as Tetovo and Kumanovo have introduced pilot initiatives that promote functional bilingualism – for example, multilingual citizen services, language-sensitive educational programs, and community media in multiple languages. One notable practice is the integration of language mediators in schools with mixed-language student populations, which has proven effective in improving communication and fostering intercultural understanding.
This paper documents these concrete practices and assesses their effectiveness in promoting social cohesion and actual language equality. The analysis draws on recent field observations, interviews with professionals in administration and education, and official implementation reports. The goal is to identify which measures have long-term potential, what conditions support their sustainability, and how they might serve as transferable models for other multilingual societies.