Teaching Refugee Students: The Role of Teachers' Attitudes towards Cultural Diversity

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Teaching Refugee Students: The Role of Teachers' Attitudes towards Cultural Diversity
Language: English
Authors: Becker, Birgit (ORCID 0000-0001-8034-1267), Raschke, Eva, Vieluf, Svenja, Böse, Susanne, Laschewski, Anna, Rauch, Dominique, Stošic, Patricia
Source: Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice. 2023 29(4):369-383.
Availability: 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
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2023
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Descriptors: Refugees, Teacher Attitudes, Teaching Methods, Role, Cultural Pluralism, Educational Change, School Culture, Foreign Countries, Racism, Immigration, Teaching Experience, Problems, Equal Education, Cultural Differences, Teacher Education, Elementary Secondary Education, Teacher Behavior
Geographic Terms: Germany
DOI: 10.1080/13540602.2023.2191178
ISSN: 1354-0602
1470-1278
Abstract: This article focuses on the role of teachers' attitudes towards cultural diversity in teaching refugee students in Germany. We examine which patterns of attitudes towards cultural diversity are common among teachers, how these depend on their professional experience and how they correlate with the perceptions of problems in teaching refugee students. Using data from the project 'Changing schools in a post-migrant society: School culture(s) in the current context of forced migration', the results of cluster analysis show that there is a dividing line between teachers who support pluralistic approaches (i.e. multiculturalism, egalitarianism and anti-racism) and those who reject them. Overall, we identified four clusters: 'pluralism sceptics', 'pluralism opponents', 'pluralism supporters', and 'pragmatists' (who approved of all concepts). The 'pluralism rejecters' (clusters 1 and 2 combined) were the least experienced in teaching refugee children. The 'pluralism supporters' saw the fewest problems in teaching refugee students, while the 'pragmatists' had an above-average perception of problems. The 'pluralism rejecters' occupied a middle position in this regard, with one notable exception: they were particularly likely to perceive cultural differences as a problem in teaching refugee students.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2023
Accession Number: EJ1386406
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This article focuses on the role of teachers' attitudes towards cultural diversity in teaching refugee students in Germany. We examine which patterns of attitudes towards cultural diversity are common among teachers, how these depend on their professional experience and how they correlate with the perceptions of problems in teaching refugee students. Using data from the project 'Changing schools in a post-migrant society: School culture(s) in the current context of forced migration', the results of cluster analysis show that there is a dividing line between teachers who support pluralistic approaches (i.e. multiculturalism, egalitarianism and anti-racism) and those who reject them. Overall, we identified four clusters: 'pluralism sceptics', 'pluralism opponents', 'pluralism supporters', and 'pragmatists' (who approved of all concepts). The 'pluralism rejecters' (clusters 1 and 2 combined) were the least experienced in teaching refugee children. The 'pluralism supporters' saw the fewest problems in teaching refugee students, while the 'pragmatists' had an above-average perception of problems. The 'pluralism rejecters' occupied a middle position in this regard, with one notable exception: they were particularly likely to perceive cultural differences as a problem in teaching refugee students.
ISSN:1354-0602
1470-1278
DOI:10.1080/13540602.2023.2191178