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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Main Authors: Christina Hedman, Ulrika Magnusson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-12-01
Series:Languages
Subjects:
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.
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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