Language Policies as Lived: The Dialogues Between Educational and Family Language

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 14
  In Roundtable Session: Policy Development and Debate

Abstract

This presentation reports on a qualitative multiple case study that examines whether language policies in a group of immigrant families with children enrolled at two elementary public schools in Massachusetts are congruent with educational language policies at the schools. Initial findings indicate that despite an English-only state policy, the participating schools did not have an official language policy and aimed for inclusion of linguistic and cultural diversity. However, the observed language practices showed an overwhelming support for English and neglect for heritage languages and cultures. Language policies of the participating families did not fully align with the school practices and reflected a preference for heritage languages. However, families described an emerging preference for English as the children went through schooling.

Author

• Yalda M. Kaveh, Boston College