'I need to know what to say when children are crying’: a language needs analysis of Scottish primary educators learning Arabic

Imperiale, M. G., Fassetta, G. and Alshobaki, S. (2023) 'I need to know what to say when children are crying’: a language needs analysis of Scottish primary educators learning Arabic. Language and Intercultural Communication, 23(4), pp. 367-384. (doi: 10.1080/14708477.2023.2168010)

Abstract

This article discusses the language needs analysis which informed the development of a beginner Arabic language course for Scottish primary education staff who work with Arabic-speaking refugee children and families. Interviews and focus group were carried out with: Scottish educators; Arabic-speaking refugee children; and parents/carers. They highlighted the following language needs for the course: (a) language for hospitality; (b) language for wellbeing; and (c) language for school. In this article we highlight the language needs as identified by refugee pupils and their families and we start a discussion on the importance of teaching a refugee language within formal educational settings.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Alshobaki, Ms Sahar and Imperiale, Dr Maria Grazia and Fassetta, Dr Giovanna
• Authors: Imperiale, M. G., Fassetta, G., and Alshobaki, S.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education; College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Culture, Literacies, Inclusion & Pedagogy
• Journal Name: Language and Intercultural Communication
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• ISSN: 1470-8477
• ISSN (Online): 1747-759X
• Published Online: 09 February 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Language and Intercultural Communication 23(4):367-384
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
314643		Welcoming Languages: Including a Refugee Language in Scottish Education	Giovanna Fassetta	Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)	AH/W006030/1	ED - Education