• Sweden edition
Education

Mother tongue tutoring 'insufficient': teachers

Published: 20 Dec 12 11:58 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/45186/20121220/

Children who have a first language other than Swedish don't get enough support in Swedish schools, according to a survey of teachers, many of whom are concerned that children of immigrants will fall behind in school.

"The teachers are really frustrated as they see that mother tongue tutoring is really needed," Eva-Lis Sirén, chair of the Swedish Teachers’ Union (Lärarförbundet) told the Metro newspaper.

A recent survey of 519 primary and secondary school teachers in Sweden revealed that nearly 60 percent of teachers have students they feel need extra help in their mother tongue.

However, only one in ten of these teachers feel their students get enough tutoring in their first language.

Teachers are concerned that competent immigrant children will end up performing poorly in school simply because they aren't able to grasp what they're being taught in Swedish.

"It's easier for children to develop because they feel more secure in their own language and can use all the knowledge they already have," language tutor Harriet Thernell told Metro.

Students who are unable to fully understand instructions spoken in Sweden may also lose interest in school, having a negative impact on their academic performance.

Sweden's school act clearly states that "a student should get tutoring in his or her mother tongue, if the student needs it".

But principals at many schools claim budget constraints restrict them from expanding mother tongue tutoring.

According to Sirén of the teachers' union, however, the problem lies with politicians who simply say "there isn't any money".

"They simply don't take the issue seriously enough," she told the paper.

TT/The Local/dl
Follow The Local on Twitter

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

12:37 December 20, 2012 by johan rebel
The last thing these kids need is to be taught in their mother tongue. The sooner they master the language of their new country the better, which is best achieved by chucking 'm in at the deep end.

I had to deal with three different languages at schools in three countries before the age of eight, none of which was my mother tongue. The latter my mom taught me to read and write at home, at school I was just expected to adapt and learn, as were my younger sisters. It worked. Good way to achieve fluency in several languages too.
13:30 December 20, 2012 by bourgeoisieboheme
For being teachers, these people are not very smart.
20:38 December 20, 2012 by tuerd1982
It is only matter of time. It looks these kids can't keep up in the beginning, but believe me just after half or a year there will be no problem.

I did my whole education from elementary to PhD in three different languages. If you little bit patient and hard working you can do anything. In my mind, these kids doesn't need mother tongue tutoring but they need good, patient teachers.

There is no bad student only bad teachers.
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Mixed results for Sweden refugee job push

Mixed results for Sweden refugee job push

Fifteen percent of refugees in Sweden who enrolled in the new establishment system the past two years have gone on to find job, new figures show, leading observers to worry that the low success rate will place a burden on the benefits system. READ () »

Assange extradition fight
Swedish pressure needed on Assange: accuser

Swedish pressure needed on Assange: accuser

One of the women who has accused Julian Assange of sex crimes has called on the Swedish government to increase pressure on Ecuador to hand over the WikiLeaks-founder to authorities in Sweden. READ () »

Unrest in Stockholm
Stockholm riots: a view from the street in Husby

Stockholm riots: a view from the street in Husby

Following three nights of violence that left cars smouldering in several Stockholm suburbs, The Local travelled to the northwest district of Husby where the disturbances began to see how the riots have affected local residents. READ () »

Bergman auction canned after suspected theft

Bergman auction canned after suspected theft

An auction of memorabilia belonging to Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Berman has been scrapped by authorities after claims the items were stolen from the family. READ () »

Stockholm man lay dead in flat for two years

Workmen in southern Stockholm found the body of man who may have lain dead in his flat for over two years, with the police blaming the belated discovery on society's broken social networks. READ () »

Fashion prize turns Rookies into players

Fashion prize turns Rookies into players

Swedish designers who fight for brand-name recognition in the notoriously hard-to-crack fashion business tell The Local's Victoria Hussey about the importance of the Swedish Rookies Award. READ () »

Four jailed for drugging internet date victims

Four jailed for drugging internet date victims

Four thieves who used internet dating sites to find victims who they then robbed after drugging them with a concoction of sedatives and psychosis drugs were sentenced to prison on Wednesday by a Swedish court. READ () »

Doc went on holiday as Swede's cancer spread

Doc went on holiday as Swede's cancer spread

A Swedish man has been left facing death after his doctor went on holiday, leaving a cancer diagnosis stranded in the computer system while the increasingly desperate patient fought for help elsewhere. READ () »

More Education

 

Find a new job in Sweden now
22/05 Accountant to Bank of China
Sjr Ab
Stockholm
22/05 Accountant to Bank of China
SJR AB
Stockholm, STHM
22/05 Accounting Manager
Michael Page
Göteborg
22/05 Accounting Manager
Michael Page
Göteborg, VTG
22/05 Analyse Engineer - Infotainment Platform
Volvo
Göteborg
22/05 Analyse Engineer - Infotainment Platform
Volvo Car Corporation
Göteborg, VTG

ALL JOBS »


 

 

Highlights
La Neta
OPINION »
My Swedish Career: We talk to the founder of Stockholm's favourite Mexican restaurant chain - La Neta
Leif R Jansson/Scanpix
NATIONAL »
Riot police 'resorted to racial slurs' in Husby
Scanpix
SPORT »
Sweden win ice hockey world champs at home
Scanpix
SPORT »
Swedes sweep top French football awards
fastighetsbyrån.se
GALLERY »
Property of the Week: Check out this funky three-room apartment on the Stockholm island of Södermalm
Scanpix
GALLERY »
Sweden win Ice Hockey World Championships. See the celebrations in Stockholm
Scanpix
GALLERY »
Youths burn 100 cars in north Stockholm riots
Finest.se scanpix.se
GALLERY »
People-watching: Nightlife, Ice Hockey Gold celebrations, the royal family... You name it, this week's gallery has it
WikiCommons
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Solna voted best place to live in Sweden
Scanpix
TRAVEL »
Quiz - Think You Know Sweden? This week we head to one of Sweden's ten biggest towns. But which one?
Scanpix
LIFESTYLE »
Eurovision host: 'Not everyone has to like me'
Scanpix
LIFESTYLE »
Denmark wins Eurovision 2013 in Malmö
Paul Hansen/World Press Photo
SOCIETY »
Award-winning Swedish photographer cleared of manipulation
DoToday
LIFESTYLE »
What's On:The Local's guide to upcoming attractions and events in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö
Scanpix
NATIONAL »
A Congolese-Swedish pastor explains the roots to recent cases of parents exorcising demons from their children in Sweden
File photo: AP
NATIONAL »
H&M backs Bangladesh building safety accord
Scanpix
GALLERY »
Eurovision: second semi-final entries
Finest.se
GALLERY »
People-watching: Scenes from the Arctic Council meeting, Eurovision demonstrations, and Stockholm nightlife
Screenshot: American Apparel
SOCIETY »
Swedes slam American Apparel over 'sexist' ads
Hasse Holmberg/Scanpix (File)
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Housing crunch forces more young Swedes to live with mum and dad
Janerik Henriksson/Scanpix
LIFESTYLE »
Eurovision - Centre State: 'It won't be easy to win again': Robin Stjernberg
Asif Akbar/sxc.hu (File)
OPINION »
'Not all discrimination in Sweden is racism'
Lana Wimmer
GALLERY »
Hidden Stockholm Gems: Ulriksdal's Palace
Sex in Sweden: condoms optional - study
SOCIETY »
Sex in Sweden: condoms optional - study
AP (File)
POLITICS »
Russia 'lacks capacity' to attack Sweden: Reinfeldt
fastighetsbyrån.se
GALLERY »
Property of the Week: This week, we're looking inside a home from the 1700s just west of Stockholm. Complete with two cannons.
Scanpix (File)
OPINION »
JobTalk: Top ten tips for earning a higher salary in Sweden
Juanma Perez Rabasco
SOCIETY »
Swedish kids start daycare earlier: report
Facebook
SOCIETY »
'Sex scandal' minister bathes in viral toilet puppy love
Scanpix
NATIONAL »
Illegal apartment rentals thrive in Stockholm flat crunch
Ben Grey/Flickr
SCIENCE & TECH »
Sweden 'second best' place to become a mum
Eddie Gee
LIFESTYLE »
Check out the back catalogue of all The Local's Swedes of the Week
Photo: The Local
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Stockholm International School - what’s in IT for students?
Dixie Thomas Hughes
SPONSORED ARTICLE
US expat David V. Hughes on determination and discovery by design

 

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »


Blog Update: Stripes News

21 May 21:34

WEEK 21 »

"A week full to the brim with LFC football…. Div 5 LFC match against Nåjdens FK has been moved. This is due to the Svenska Cupen final: 26 May, 17.00 kick off, Nationalarenan Friends Arena, Solna. Next match is on Tuesday (see below). ………………………………………………………… Friday: Div5 Ladies: Rotebro IS FF – Långholmen FC (Skinnaråsens IP) KO: 16.15 ………………………………………………………… Saturday: Vets: Långholmen FC – IFK..." READ »

Holiday Luxury Villa in Portugal
Casa Birgitta in Algarve, Portugal. Reduced price in best location. Private estate on white sand beach. All amenities included. Book here today! edward_george1@hotmail.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Trade binary options
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Therapy in English
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE