Researching the Complexities of the School Subject Swedish as a Second Language: A Linguistic Ethnographic Project in Four Schools
This article focuses on language education policy for language learners in Sweden by building on a synthesis of findings from a research project on the school subject <i>Swedish as a second language</i> (SSL). The project was located in three upper secondary schools and one primary schoo...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-12-01
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Series: | Languages |
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Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-471X/6/4/205 |
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author | Christina Hedman Ulrika Magnusson |
author_facet | Christina Hedman Ulrika Magnusson |
author_sort | Christina Hedman |
collection | DOAJ |
description | This article focuses on language education policy for language learners in Sweden by building on a synthesis of findings from a research project on the school subject <i>Swedish as a second language</i> (SSL). The project was located in three upper secondary schools and one primary school with a large proportion of migrant students, of whom a majority studied SSL. We present previously published core findings, as well as revisit data for new analyses. The overarching aim is to contribute new knowledge on the complexities of arranging for sustainable, equitable and high-quality language educational provisions that include the teaching and learning of the language of schooling, through the lens of SSL. First, we outline and discuss the relatively unique design of SSL and discourses surrounding the subject, and also make some international comparisons with English as an Additional Language. Secondly, we discuss the role of pedagogical scaffolding of advanced literacy and literary content, and of multilingual aspects in SSL, as well as examine policy frictions in the data. We conclude by reflecting on the role of teacher competences and research methodology. Researching a second language subject is to stand in the crossroad of macro policy, the theory and practice of language education, and equity. All these aspects need to be considered to reach sustainable educational goals. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:44:19Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-d935a183c75746c7a8769bf3c0f994af |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2226-471X |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:44:19Z |
publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
publisher | MDPI AG |
record_format | Article |
series | Languages |
spelling | doaj.art-d935a183c75746c7a8769bf3c0f994af2023-11-23T09:12:46ZengMDPI AGLanguages2226-471X2021-12-016420510.3390/languages6040205Researching the Complexities of the School Subject Swedish as a Second Language: A Linguistic Ethnographic Project in Four SchoolsChristina Hedman0Ulrika Magnusson1Department of Teaching and Learning, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, SwedenDepartment of Teaching and Learning, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, SwedenThis article focuses on language education policy for language learners in Sweden by building on a synthesis of findings from a research project on the school subject <i>Swedish as a second language</i> (SSL). The project was located in three upper secondary schools and one primary school with a large proportion of migrant students, of whom a majority studied SSL. We present previously published core findings, as well as revisit data for new analyses. The overarching aim is to contribute new knowledge on the complexities of arranging for sustainable, equitable and high-quality language educational provisions that include the teaching and learning of the language of schooling, through the lens of SSL. First, we outline and discuss the relatively unique design of SSL and discourses surrounding the subject, and also make some international comparisons with English as an Additional Language. Secondly, we discuss the role of pedagogical scaffolding of advanced literacy and literary content, and of multilingual aspects in SSL, as well as examine policy frictions in the data. We conclude by reflecting on the role of teacher competences and research methodology. Researching a second language subject is to stand in the crossroad of macro policy, the theory and practice of language education, and equity. All these aspects need to be considered to reach sustainable educational goals.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-471X/6/4/205language policysecond language teaching and learningSwedish as a second languagemultilingualismpolicy friction |
spellingShingle | Christina Hedman Ulrika Magnusson Researching the Complexities of the School Subject Swedish as a Second Language: A Linguistic Ethnographic Project in Four Schools Languages language policy second language teaching and learning Swedish as a second language multilingualism policy friction |
title | Researching the Complexities of the School Subject Swedish as a Second Language: A Linguistic Ethnographic Project in Four Schools |
title_full | Researching the Complexities of the School Subject Swedish as a Second Language: A Linguistic Ethnographic Project in Four Schools |
title_fullStr | Researching the Complexities of the School Subject Swedish as a Second Language: A Linguistic Ethnographic Project in Four Schools |
title_full_unstemmed | Researching the Complexities of the School Subject Swedish as a Second Language: A Linguistic Ethnographic Project in Four Schools |
title_short | Researching the Complexities of the School Subject Swedish as a Second Language: A Linguistic Ethnographic Project in Four Schools |
title_sort | researching the complexities of the school subject swedish as a second language a linguistic ethnographic project in four schools |
topic | language policy second language teaching and learning Swedish as a second language multilingualism policy friction |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-471X/6/4/205 |
work_keys_str_mv | AT christinahedman researchingthecomplexitiesoftheschoolsubjectswedishasasecondlanguagealinguisticethnographicprojectinfourschools AT ulrikamagnusson researchingthecomplexitiesoftheschoolsubjectswedishasasecondlanguagealinguisticethnographicprojectinfourschools |