Perceptions of knowledge and use of languages of indigenous and immigrant students in Basque schools / Percepción del conocimiento y uso de lenguas entre alumnado autóctono e inmigrante en la escuela vasca

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to analyse the acquisition of languages by the immigrant students enrolled in the bilingual Basque school, in comparison with indigenous students. We have analysed both the family language of immigrant students as well as the knowledge, use and desire to know the two languages of the school: Basque and Spanish. On the other hand, we have measured the incidence of some variables, such as family language, the length of stay in the host country and the school language model. The sample was composed of 977 secondary school students, of which 145 were immigrant students enrolled in the Basque Autonomous Community. The results show the linguistic diversity among these students. The immigrant student’s family language, the linguistic model in which they are enrolled and the length of stay are decisive in the perception of knowledge, use and desire to learn the two languages of the school.