Working towards a motivating and safe learning environment in Reception Classes for Other-Speaking Newcomers (OKAN, age 12-16)
Children who have recently arrived in Belgium and are not proficient in the Dutch language are accommodated in OKAN classes in Flanders for a year (sometimes longer) with a focus on integration and learning Dutch. The aim is to move on into mainstream education afterwards.
Current (limited) research shows that OKAN young people show weak motivation and low school well-being and hardly move on to ASO or TSO.
In collaboration with two Flemish schools that offer OKAN to 12 to 16-year-olds, we want to collect accessible didactic material to support OKAN teachers in increasing the involvement and well-being of their students. Responding to cultural diversity and communication plays an important role in this.
We start with a document analysis and interviews with experts (teachers, involved organizations, management…). The methodologies found to be suitable will be regularly tested in the two schools involved and adjusted on the basis of our experiences.
Given the current lack of research within OKAN, we would like to make a start to define further lines of research, including suitable didactics for 12 to 16 year olds within OKAN, an appropriate evaluation for the development goals for OKAN, etc.
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