Meriem Sahli

Becoming Bilingual in Arabic and Danish: Involvement of Arab Parents in the Bi-literacy of Their Children and Their Experiences of the Danish Folkeskole Meriem Sahli

This study investigated the involvement of Arab parents in the schooling of their children. Data were collected by interviewing parents whose children attended schools in inner Copenhagen. The study focused on how Arab parents provided opportunities and resources to support their children with their school work and at the same time teach them their language. In the second part of this study I drew on parents' experiences in the folkeskole and their views of the educational system. The results of the study can be summarized in the following: All parents were actively involved in the learning of their children. Families who could not write and read Arabic and Danish relied on other social networks such as neighbours and bilingual staff for help. Parents gave more time helping their children with Arabic as their literacy was barely acknowledged in school. But the fact that they wanted their children to compete with Danish students on equal terms, they had chosen the folkeskole instead of Arabic private schools. Parents believed that the school system was too flexible and confusing.