Welcoming Languages: teaching a ‘refugee language’ to school staff to enact the principle of integration as a two-way process

Fassetta, G. , Imperiale, M. G., Alshobaki, S. and Al-Masri, N. (2023) Welcoming Languages: teaching a ‘refugee language’ to school staff to enact the principle of integration as a two-way process. Language and Intercultural Communication, 23(6), pp. 559-573. (doi: 10.1080/14708477.2023.2247386)

Abstract

In this article we discuss the outcomes of a project which taught Arabic as a ‘refugee language’ to primary school staff so they could welcome Arabic speaking children and families. The project was grounded in a commitment to social justice and inclusive education practices, and in an understanding of integration as a two-way process. The evaluation shows that teaching Arabic to primary staff had a positive impact on Arabic speaking children and families, on staff’s own practice, and on the wider school community. We list a set of recommendation to expand the languages spoken and taught in educational contexts.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the AHRC, grant number AH/W006030/1.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Al-Masri, Dr Nazmi and Alshobaki, Ms Sahar and Imperiale, Dr Maria Grazia and Fassetta, Dr Giovanna
• Authors: Fassetta, G., Imperiale, M. G., Alshobaki, S., and Al-Masri, N.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > English Language and Linguistics; 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 & Francis
• ISSN: 1470-8477
• ISSN (Online): 1747-759X
• Published Online: 04 September 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Author(s)
• First Published: First published in Language and Intercultural Communication 23(6):559-573
• 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