Linguistic Heterogeneity and the Impact on Social Resources in the Classroom

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: Understanding the Impact of Linguistic and Racial Diversity on Social and Emotional Learning

Abstract

The paper reports on findings of longitudinal research carried out in Austria. It deals with the question of whether and how students of non-German speaking backgrounds influence social interaction and the learning structure within the (German-speaking) classroom and thus the shaping of social resources. The data for this contribution is drawn from students of the first of three cohorts (start 2010) from 5th grade to 8th grade in 43 classes in 16 Austrian secondary schools. With records on about 900 students, analyses were made of factors that, according to the theoretical explanations of the capability approach of Amartya Sen, can be regarded as crucial for the development of students.

Author

• Corinna Geppert, University of Vienna