What does "politically loaded" mean?
The sentence: “Within the European Union, bilingual education is being promoted under the banner of CLIL/EMILE, acronyms which refer to “Content and Language Integrated Learning/Enseignement d’une Matière par l’Intégration d’une Langue Etrangère” (CLIL/EMILE, 2002). The choice of CLIL/EMILE responds to the fact that the term “bilingual education” is politically loaded for certain European countries, even though these are bilingual programs that use more than one language in instruction.”

What does "politically loaded" mean? I assume that citizens of many European countries speak more than two or three languages due to geopolitical reasons so it's hard to label the language programs as "bilingual"?

Culturally, what are some political reasons that many citizens speak more than 2/3 languages?

Thanks a lot:D

Question

What does "politically loaded" mean?
The sentence: “Within the European Union, bilingual education is being promoted under the banner of CLIL/EMILE, acronyms which refer to “Content and Language Integrated Learning/Enseignement d’une Matière par l’Intégration d’une Langue Etrangère” (CLIL/EMILE, 2002). The choice of CLIL/EMILE responds to the fact that the term “bilingual education” is politically loaded for certain European countries, even though these are bilingual programs that use more than one language in instruction.”

What does "politically loaded" mean? I assume that citizens of many European countries speak more than two or three languages due to geopolitical reasons so it's hard to label the language programs as "bilingual"?

Culturally, what are some political reasons that many citizens speak more than 2/3 languages?

Thanks a lot:D

Answer

Here 'loaded' means that it is dangerous and cannot be answered without possible negative consequences. I think it is a reference to a gun loaded with bullets (or maybe loaded dice, see comment). Think of a bomb ready to explode.

So, "politically loaded" means that the question is dangerous for politicians or in the context of politics. I am not entirely sure why that might be, since I don't live in Europe. However, in the USA, it would be 'loaded' because a lot of people really want Spanish taught in schools more often. However, other people don't like that Spanish is becoming so important in the USA. For a politician trying to please both sides, it is a 'loaded' problem.

I am sure the reasons are similar in Europe.

Answer

"Politically loaded" means that a certain term, that started out as simply being a description, is now carrying a political meaning because of association with specific factions or political movements.

Answer

The usual reason for a country's people to speak more than one language is because historically they've been invaded or colonised.  For example, people in some eastern European countries may speak German as a result of being occupied by Germany, and Russian as a result of being part of the USSR.

As such, if you're trying to move forward then suggesting to a people trying to throw off their past, or to those who are old enough to remember bad things about a recent past, that they should speak what some might consider to be a 'language of oppression' could be considered to be politically loaded.