Positive stances toward cultural and linguistic diversity in Finnish schools
: Alisaari Jenni, Kivimäki Riia, Repo Elisa, Kekki Niina, Sissonen Salla, Kivipelto Susanna
Publisher: University of Jyväskylä
: Jyväskylä
: 2023
: Apples: Journal of Applied Language Studies
: Apples
: 17
: 1
: 39
: 64
: 1457-9863
DOI: https://doi.org/10.47862/apples.112305
: https://apples.journal.fi/article/view/112305
: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/178092166
This study examined students’ (N = 659) and teachers’ (N = 74) stances toward linguistic and cultural diversity in Finland after national educational policy reforms. The students’ and teachers’ stances were positive, and the students felt appreciated at school; however, differences were found based on the gender, age, and first language of the students and between teacher groups. Positive stances toward languages and language use seemed to decrease with age, and older students and students with other L1 than Finnish had a lower sense of belonging. Targeted attention should be paid to further increasing culturally sustaining and linguistically responsive school cultures.