Secondary abstract: |
In this thesis, I focus on the problem of young immigrants who are educated in Slovenia. Despite the principle of multiculturalism and intercultural pedagogy European countries perceive that the academic achievement of migrant children is worse than the achievement of other students. The European Council is looking for solution how to overcome these shortcomings in the education systems. However, examples of good practice are still quite lonely points on the map of Europe. In Slovenia, the situation is very specific, because majority of immigrants is coming from countries of former Yugoslavia; but the laws on education of migrant children are still vague. Schools must manage its own way. The biggest problem remains learning Slovenian language. Schools also do not manage to provide intercultural dialogue and do not give immigrant children a chance to learn their first language and culture, as provided by law. In empirical work, I therefore conducted interviews with first generation immigrant students. I asked them how they have experienced a primary school in Slovenia - what were their experiences with teachers and peers, how Slovene classes were run, how they experience cultural differences today and what are their plans for the future. It turns out that the migrant students had low expectations to schools. They just wanted to be accepted among peers. Schools required a lower level of knowledge from migrant students, especially in Slovene classes. There is a lack of intercultural dialogue in school as well. Migrant students are not encouraged to maintain their own culture and to learn about new one. |