Teaching immigrant students: Finnish teachers' understandings and attitudes. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vigren, Heli; Alisaari, Jenni; Heikkola, Leena Maria; Acquah, Emmanuel O.; Commins, Nancy L.
• Is Part Of: Teaching and teacher education. Volume 114(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Immigrant background students -- Linguistically and culturally responsive education -- Second language acquisition -- First languages -- Social justice; Teaching -- Periodicals; Teachers -- Training of -- Periodicals; Enseignement -- Périodiques; Enseignants -- Formation -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 371.10205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tate.2022.103689
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0742-051X

Abstract

Abstract: This study analysed Finnish teachers' (N = 820) understandings and attitudes about teaching students from immigrant backgrounds and how these relate to linguistically and culturally responsive education. The data were gathered via an online-survey in 2016. The results indicate that the Finnish teachers surveyed had knowledge about second language acquisition, had positive attitudes towards students' first languages, and had a strong sense of responsibility to promote equity and social justice. However, there were specific areas in which teachers lacked knowledge and demonstrated uncertainty about teaching students with immigrant backgrounds. These findings provide guidance for the improvements in teacher education. Highlights: Finnish teachers had knowledge about second language acquisition and positive attitudes towards students' first languages. The teachers had a strong sense of responsibility to promote equity and social justice. There were some areas indicating lacked knowledge concerning e.g. the significance of the first languages. These findings provide guidance for the improvements in teacher education.