Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.15516/cje.v19i2.1989
Domestic Encouragement for Young Foreign Language Learners in Slovenia
Mihaela Brumen
; Department of Elementary Education, Faculty of Education, University of Maribor
Sabina Lešnik
; Primary School Maribor
Milena Ivanuš Grmek
; Department of Basic Pedagogical Studies, Faculty of Education, University of Maribor
Abstract
The main aim of the present research was to determine the kinds of encouragement that young learners receive at home from their parents for foreign language (FL) learning, and highlight any differences between the domestic environment and foreign language learning in terms of the socio-economic status of the family. Furthermore, the study offers some general recommendations to parents and primary school authorities to encourage FL learning in the domestic environment, thereby avoiding socio-economic differences.
The study was conducted on a sample of ninth-grade pupils (14 years of age) attending Slovene primary schools (N = 600). A questionnaire with the closed-type questions was designed in accordance with the measurement characteristics (validity, reliability, objectivity). The data were analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show that in general, parents almost never or rarely encourage their children in foreign language learning. A detailed analysis of the results, however, shows that there are statistically significant differences in the support given to foreign language learning in terms of the socio-economic status of the family (e.g., through books, literature, DVDs, songs in foreign languages, homework, language courses abroad, travelling). Parents with a higher level of education support their children in learning foreign languages more than parents with a lower level of education.
Keywords
socio-economic environment; foreign language learning; parental involvement; primary school
Hrčak ID:
185480
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2017.
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