JultikaUniversity of Oulu repository

Abstract

The phenomenon of migration dates back to the emergence of man on Earth. However, after 2015, migration flows have increased due to various factors such as war, globalization, and economic instability. Greece is one of the most affected countries, as it is considered one of the main gateways to Europe. Many economic migrants and refugees are staying in Greece permanently or temporarily. This has led to a multiculturalization of Greek school classrooms, forcing educators to deal with the problems created by language differences in the classroom. However, one of the biggest problems facing educational institutions in Greece is that teachers are not prepared to address the special needs of bilingual students.

This study examines the impact of migration on Greek school classrooms and the challenges faced by pre-service teachers in meeting the needs of bilingual students. Specifically, the study aims to investigate the perceptions of Department of Early Childhood Education (DECE) students at the University of Athens regarding bilingualism and the use of different languages in their classrooms. The study employs a qualitative approach using thematic analysis to analyze data collected through online questionnaires.

The results indicate that respondents feel unprepared to include bilingual students in their classes and underscore the need for better training from the college. The study highlights the need for more courses at the University of Athens that provide pre-service teachers with the skills and knowledge necessary to teach in a multilingual and multicultural classroom. Although respondents acknowledge the importance of the mother tongue in the lives of bilingual students, they do not use any other language in the classroom. The study concludes that the lack of inclusion of the mother tongue in the school context contributes to respondents feeling unprepared for teaching in a multilingual classroom.