Multilingual Education in the Context of Superdiversity: Exploring the Use of Bilingual Support in a Computer-Based Learning Environment

• In Event: 72.019 - Technology, Language Learning, and Literacy: How Do They Relate?

Abstract

The computer-based learning environment E-Validiv offers content related to science topics in the language of instruction (LOI) and one of six other languages (OLs). For students having another home language than the LOI, the OL is set to their home language. This study aimed to identify student- and classroom characteristics related to fourth-grade students’ use of the bilingual support in E-Validiv (n=250). Multilevel hierarchical regression analyses show that especially students with another home language spend more time in their home language and also switch more often to it, indicating the value of the home language as a scaffold to support their learning process. Moreover, the content in the OL is more often used in more heterogeneous classrooms.

Authors

• Evelien Van Laere, Ghent University

• Orhan Agirdag, University of Amsterdam

• Johan Van Braak, Ghent University