Family-School Partnerships in a Multilingual Context
Cooperation between family and school supports the development of children. Teachers in the education of newcomers experience specific challenges in working together with parents, such as differences in languages, school systems and role perceptions. Researchers recommend a responsive attitude and communication, but what exactly does this mean? Teachers and parents of newcomers are invited to share experiences and stories to find out what works.
Goal
The goal is to describe which aspects are relevant in building effective family-school partnerships in a multilingual context, thereby contributing to the professionalisation of teachers and, ultimately, the cognitive and social-emotional development of children from newcomer families.
Results
- Description of relevant aspects of family-school partnerships in a multilingual context
• regarding attitudes;
• regarding communication; - Professionalisation of teachers
Duration
01 January 2020 - 31 December 2024
Approach
Teachers and parents are invited to share their experiences, needs and expectations. The results are translated into professionalisation activities. The usefulness of the professionalisation is assessed by teacher trainers and teachers in the education of newcomers.
Research participants
The participants in this research consist of experienced teachers from various schools of primary education for newcomers and of parents from Ukraine, Eritrea and Syria who have taken part in Dutch education for at least one year.
Impact
With the results of this research, targeted professional development activities can be developed and offered in preparation for and/or to improve the establishment of educational partnerships between teachers and parents who meet in a multilingual context.
