Is two-way immersion education associated with social and intercultural benefits? A peace-linguistic examination of Staatliche Europa-Schule Berlin

• Main Author: Meier, Gabriela Sylvia
• Other Authors: Davie, Grace
• Published: University of Exeter 2009
• Subjects: 370.1; two-way immersion : peace-linguistics : Staatliche Europa-Schule Berlin : Germany : Intercultural skills : bilingual education
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.504639

This thesis is situated in the field of applied linguistics, education and European Studies. The empirical part examines outcomes in a two-way immersion (TWI) education model in Berlin (SESB) that go beyond linguistic or academic achievements. Based on a peace-linguistic framework established for the purpose of this study, this thesis assesses to what extent SESB programmes are associated with dimensions related to peace education, social capital and critical applied linguistics. Additionally, a teacher survey looks at attitudes towards bilingual and monolingual education and social integration. The findings are discussed in the framework of previous studies, chiefly from the USA, and in terms of language policy development in Germany and in Europe. This leads to a number of recommendations for stakeholders and policymakers. Employing a quasi-experimental design, involving a TWI and a control group, data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 14-18 year-old students (N=603) and teachers (N=32) in Berlin, which were analysed using primarily quantitative methods (including multiple regression) but with some qualitative elements. Based on statistically significant effects with at least small effect sizes, it was established that students in SESB had a greater sense of inclusion among classmates and greater conflict resolution skills than the control group. When looking at effects in subgroups (students with German, bilingual or non-German language backgrounds) there were also positive effects, however, the groups were affected in different ways, as is set out in this thesis. Furthermore, SESB also had a positive effect on relationships between parents and teachers, as well as on the students’ language attitudes and use patterns. In conclusion, it is argued that, besides personal and societal multilingualism, TWI programmes in Berlin are associated with greater potential for cohesion in the school class, and may benefit wider social integration of different language communities. Additionally, this thesis introduces German TWI programmes to an English-language audience.