‘By learning together, we can better support multilingual learners’

How do we ensure that multilingual students end up in the right place in secondary education and receive the guidance they deserve?In the Brainport region, education professionals are working together to answer this question.By sharing knowledge, exchanging experiences and learning from each other's approach, a warm transfer and a solid bridge between primary (po) and secondary education (vo) is being built.The research workshop is partly made possible by Regio Deal Brainport Eindhoven.
In a classroom of the Stedelijk College in Eindhoven, they are criss-crossed: education professionals from primary and secondary education in the Brainport region. In a so-called research workshop, they discuss how best to support the progression of multilingual students. ‘Sharing knowledge and experiences is central to this,’ says Saskia Heunks, programme leader at Trion Training School and co-initiator of the research workshop. 'Teachers, tutors and supervisors bring in cases, discuss challenges and reflect on what works and what does not. By learning and researching together, insights arise that are directly applicable in practice.'
Lively conversations
Sylvia Huijsmans, adviser on multilingualism and internationalisation at SALTO and co-initiator of the research workshop, is also enthusiastic about the approach. 'It is a very interesting way to get people moving, really from within themselves. Besides, this issue plays a huge role in the region. That makes the conversations lively and dynamic.' These discussions are necessary, because the transition from primary to secondary education can be challenging for multilingual pupils. 'For example, some pupils receive a school recommendation that does not match their intellectual capacities, because they do not yet have a full command of the Dutch language. For these pupils, how do you decide which school and which level fits? And how do you ensure the right assessment and guidance?'

Greater understanding of each other's world
For this, cooperation between primary and secondary education is essential, Saskia stresses. 'Let's find answers to the questions together. I think it's great that we look across borders. That's what this region is really good at.' At the research workshop, there is not only cooperation between po and vo, but also with hbo (teacher training colleges). Marina Bouckaert, teacher trainer at Fontys, is one of the facilitators. 'We learn from each other and get a better understanding of each other's world. That happens because we take a look at each other's practice. From those experiences, education professionals draw their own lessons, but they also learn collectively. Among other things, we create a timeline and discussion guide for a warm transfer, which we will soon share with all schools in the region.'
Optimal transfer
Now, there are still gains to be made in the transfer of multilingual pupils from primary to secondary education. Mara Rooijmans, Dutch teacher at Stedelijk College Eindhoven and facilitator of the research workshop: ‘Primary schools collect data, e.g. from observations, but these do not always end up with the right person at a secondary school. Through this workshop, we are trying to make that transfer as optimal as possible for the student and teacher.' Terrence de Vries, LO teacher and director of multilingualism at Stedelijk College and participant in the research workshop, recognises this. 'It is a waste if a pa and vo school get to know a pupil separately from each other. A lot of time and energy is lost there. That is why I think it is important to keep the lines of communication as short as possible. For the pupil, the transition then feels smoother. That is already exciting enough.
No competition
Catrijn van den Berg, teacher of multilingual pupils and coordinator of multilingualism at De Wilakkers primary school in Eindhoven, sees further advantages of the research workshop. The lines between secondary schools are also becoming shorter. Just like in primary schools. Terrence adds: ‘Five years ago, we were competitors. Fortunately, this theme lets go of that and we can learn from each other. I get concrete ideas, such as working with buddies: at one of the secondary schools present, a Dutch pupil supports a multilingual pupil. That sounds interesting enough to investigate at some point.' Catrijn hopes that eventually more schools will feel the urgency to start working on the topic. 'In the research workshop, the wheel is invented, making it easier for other schools to get involved. If attention to multilingualism is in the DNA of every teacher, I will be satisfied.'
About the Regio Deal
The research workshop is part of a Brainport project on intercultural learning and working. Fontys, Trion Training School and Brainport Development are working together on this. Besides the research workshop, knowledge sessions for education professionals took place and last year there was a workshop on intercultural learning and working. This project is partly made possible by the Regio Deal Brainport Eindhoven. These funds are intended to increase the quality of life, living and working of residents. ‘The project was already running well, but the funds have allowed it to take off,’ says Saskia. 'With the help of the funds, we were able to facilitate this research workshop. From this we pay the facilitators to prepare and lead the workshop meetings. And what is really special is that the participants in this workshop also get hours reimbursed from the budget. This shows that we take education professionals seriously in their role as experts. A sustainable investment in education in the region, in other words!
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