A multi-perspective study on German support I (MULTI-PERS I)
The Project
The multi-perspective study on German language support I (MULTI-PERS I) was the first large-scale research project in Austria to investigate German language support measures, addressing a highly relevant political and social issue.
The aim of MULTI-PERS I was to systematically document the linguistic, academic, and socio-emotional development of students in German language support programs. To close existing research gaps regarding the school-based implementation and impact of these measures, the project followed a multi-perspective approach and involved relevant stakeholders, including teachers, school administrators, children, and their legal guardians. This provided a comprehensive picture of how the support measures were received, implemented, and effective at different levels of the school community.
The project identified four central findings:
- Schools encounter organizational hurdles when implementing the legal requirements for German language support and frequently deviate from them in practice,
- the school staff holds divergent perspectives on linguistic diversity (ranging from a clear prioritization of the language of instruction to a clear consideration of multilingualism),
- students report social and socio-emotional burdens due to segregation, and
- legal guardians often feel they are not included in important decision-making processes regarding German language support measures.
Further results and publications from the MULTI-PERS I project can be found here: Publications
"New in Vienna"
As part of the spin-off project "Neu in Wien – Eine Studie zu den Chancen und Herausforderungen der schulischen Eingliederung ukrainischer Kinder und Jugendliche," surveys were conducted with refugee students as well as their teachers and school administrators. For more information, please visit the project website: Neu in Wien (univie.ac.at)
