A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

How Finnish teachers understand multilingual learners’ language learning




AuthorsJenni Alisaari, Leena Maria Heikkola

PublisherJyväskylän yliopisto

Publication year2020

JournalApples: Journal of Applied Language Studies

Volume14

Issue2

First page 129

Last page143

eISSN1457-9863

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.47862/apples.99138

Web address https:// doi.org/ 10.47862/apples.99138

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/50011285


Abstract

The number of students whose home language is different from the language of instruction is growing everywhere. Learning a new language while simultaneously learning different subjects in that language, is challenging and requires teacher support. However, research has shown that not all teachers have sufficient knowledge of language learning, how language learning influences the learning of content, or how to support multilingual learners in this context (Sullivan, 2016). In this study, Finnish teachers’ (N = 820) understandings of certain processes related to learning an additional language were examined, including whether there were differences in understandings between different teacher groups. Over 80% of the surveyed teachers were knowledgeable about the aspects related to classroom interaction and language use that can be considered as essential for being a linguistically responsive teacher: for example, they knew that social interaction supports learners’ language development. In this study, the less experience a teacher had in general, the more knowledgeable they were regarding language learning. Further, teachers of language related subjects had a better understanding of certain aspects of language learning compared to other subject teacher groups. Based on these results, professional development targeted at teachers who have been in the profession for several years is recommended.


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Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 21:19