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DENMARK - "LANGUAGE WORKSHOP"

1. Information on the School

» Kind of school: Public primary and lower secondary school (6-16 years old)

» Number of pupils: 700     Number of teachers: 52

» Specific School Educational Policies concerning equal opportunities:

No explicit policy on equal opportunities but under obligation to observe the law on primary and lower secondary school, the Law on Education Environment 1st August 2001 and the law of prohibition against discrimination.

» Social characteristics of environment

Situated in the suburb near Aarhus. There are various kinds of buildings in the school district: Terraced houses, detached houses, complexes of owner occupied flats and social housing. The population is rather heterogeneous, socio-economically, ethnically and culturally. Approximately 7% of the pupils are of a non-Danish ethnic origin.

2. Reasons for the Actvity

» The activity is directed at: Pupils with special needs (language problems, learning disabilities)

» Who managed the activity: Teachers

» Date and duration of development of activity:

Initiated in 1999 and still active

» Methodology and Strategies

Language workshop:

  1. Every teacher responsible for first, second, third and fourth classes are asked if they have pupils whom they believe will benefit from attending the language workshop
  2. The pupils and parents are informed and asked if they would like to make use of the workshop.
  3. The pupils are divided into groups of 2-4 per teacher. The group work in the workshop 2 - 4 hours a week in a 4 months period. Hereafter is it estimated whether they can stop or continue.
  4. The content of teaching is closely related to the teaching otherwise taking place in the classes.

3. Development of the Activity

» Why did the activity begin?

To assist with the educational development of bilingual children.

» What was the aim of the activity?

The language workshop is primarily directed at bilingual pupils.

The homework club is directed at all pupils who need additional support with their homework after school. In reality 95 per cent of those who attend the homework club are bilingual pupils. The homework club is voluntary and is open every afternoon.

» Types of discrimination worked on

In principle all types.

4.Results

» What has improved as a result of this activity?

The language workshop and the homework club assist bilingual pupils with the development of their learning. Although both pupils, teachers and parents were satisfied with the help it provided, the two initiatives were still described - by the teachers - as "damage limitation". By this they meant that these particular activities were not adequate to meet the meet the needs of bilingual pupils.