Languages Across Borders: Social Network Development in an Adolescent Two-Way Language Program

• In Event: Roundtable Session 22
  In Roundtable Session: Peer Networks in the Context of Multiple Languages and Literacies

Abstract

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the social networks of English language learning (ELL) and Spanish language learning (SLL) adolescent students who participated in an extracurricular dual-language program, Languages Across Borders (LAB). Specifically, how did this two-way enrichment language education program for adolescents influence students' social networks with peers of different cultural and linguistic backgrounds? Using Likert-scale data obtained through interviews, student-level and relationship-level datasets were generated for regression analysis to describe patterns in relational changes over time. Qualitative analysis was employed to examine patterns among participants' interview comments regarding relationships. Results suggest that LAB positively influenced participants' social networks with peers of different enthnolinguistic backgrounds. Specific themes and implications will be discussed

Authors

• Amanda Kibler, University of Virginia

• Allison C. Atteberry, University of Colorado - Boulder

• Christine Hardigree, University of Virginia

• April Simun Salerno, University of Virginia