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Immigrant Peers and Foreign Language Acquisition

Author

Listed:
  • Green, Colin P.

    (Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU))

  • Haaland, Kristine Bekkeheien

    (Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU))

  • Vaag Iversen, Jon Marius

    (Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU))

Abstract

Immigrants change the school environment. A focus has been on negative spillovers on native students' educational attainment. Yet, exposure to immigrant peers has the potential for a wider range of effects. This paper examines effects on foreign language acquisition focusing on Norway. In Norway all students are taught, and are assessed, in English from an early age. We demonstrate that exposure to native English-speaking peers increase Norwegian students' English language skills. We provide evidence that these spillover effects likely occur outside of the classroom. They are solely present for English language skills and provide evidence of positive spillovers from immigrant diversity in schools that is missing from the existing literature. Our results have implications for the wider social effects of immigration and how foreign languages are taught in schools.

Suggested Citation

  • Green, Colin P. & Haaland, Kristine Bekkeheien & Vaag Iversen, Jon Marius, 2022. "Immigrant Peers and Foreign Language Acquisition," IZA Discussion Papers 15746, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp15746
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cappellari, Lorenzo & Di Paolo, Antonio, 2018. "Bilingual schooling and earnings: Evidence from a language-in-education reform," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 90-101.
    2. Dee, Thomas S., 2004. "Are there civic returns to education?," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 88(9-10), pages 1697-1720, August.
    3. Laurent Bossavie, 2020. "The Effect of Immigration on Natives’ School Performance: Does Length of Stay in the Host Country Matter?," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 55(2), pages 733-766.
    4. Oriana Bandiera & Myra Mohnen & Imran Rasul & Martina Viarengo, 2019. "Nation-building Through Compulsory Schooling during the Age of Mass Migration," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 129(617), pages 62-109.
    5. Hoyt Bleakley & Aimee Chin, 2008. "What Holds Back the Second Generation?: The Intergenerational Transmission of Language Human Capital Among Immigrants," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 43(2), pages 267-298.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    immigration; English language attainment; educational attainment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education

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