Child language and cultural brokering in school context

Integration Department

Project head: Prof. Dr. Magdalena Nowicka

Project team members: Benedikt Wirth

The project is focused on everyday situations at schools in which children interpret between their own parents and school staff. Such situations arise when the immigrant children have learned German faster than their parents and the parents' German language level does not allow for an efficient exchange with educational and teaching staff in German. Children who speak several languages are then included in the communication. They must not only have language skills, but also knowledge of formal procedures, specialist terminology and the ability to communicate this interculturally. Previous studies, particularly international ones, indicate that interpreting can lead to empowerment but can also overburden children. However, research to date has focused primarily on the situation of the children and their psychological development. Instead, the project examines the interaction triad of school staff-child-parents and its structural foundations, including the possibilities and use of external interpreting services; communication channels and pathways; awareness of the problem and support options for those affected; cooperation between different services and counseling centers; the role and perspective of teaching and educational staff. In addition to identifying challenges and strategies for dealing with them, the explorative, qualitative nature of the project allows recommendations for action to be formulated. In the course of the project, a qualitative panel will be set up with regard to the integration processes of families with a migration background in Germany.

Contact person for project enquiries: Benedikt Wirth. Tel.: +49 (0)30 2007 54 260 | E-Mail:  wirth(at)dezim-institut.de

Funding: Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (Institutional funding)