ERIC Number: EJ1377438
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1367-0050
EISSN: EISSN-1747-7522
Two-Way Bilingual Education Programs and Sense of Belonging: Perspectives from Middle School Students
de Jong, Ester J.; Coulter, Zach; Tsai, Min-Chuan
International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, v26 n1 p84-96 2023
This exploratory study examined the experiences of middle school students in an urban two-way bilingual education (TWBE) program. Through the lens of students' sense of belonging, the study examined how middle school students described their experiences being enrolled in a TWBE program at the primary and secondary level. Data sources included a survey (n = 68) and six small group interviews with twenty middle school students. Using four dimensions of belonging (relationships, place, agency, and inclusion) to analyze the data, the study found that students experienced a sense of belonging through a culture of care, peer relationships, and community-building activities. Translanguaging practices supported students' identities as bilinguals and were a way to include students whose language proficiency was still in the emerging stages. Strong TWBE program cohesion appeared to positively mediate the transition from primary to secondary school. However, students experienced monolingual attitudes and ideologies outside the program, undermining their sense of belonging in school. The study concludes that TWBE programs are uniquely situated to engage in practices that support students' sense of belonging and, through these practices, create, open up, and sustain identity options for bilingual learners in middle school.
Descriptors: Middle School Students, Bilingual Education Programs, Group Membership, Student Experience, Primary Education, Secondary Education, Caring, Peer Relationship, Community Action, Organizational Climate, Morale, Code Switching (Language), Translation, Bilingualism, Monolingualism, Attitudes
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education; Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Primary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Illinois (Chicago)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A