One Country, four Languages, Several Cultures: Diversity and Empowerment in Swiss Schools.

Ferstand, B.S. (Basil)
Schulpsychologischer Dienst, Wasserturmplatz 5, 4410, Liestal

 

Submission type

Round Table Discussion

Scheduled

Room 103

Keywords

Diversity, Heterogeneity, Multicuturalism, Empowerment, Education, School System, School Psychology

Summary

In a first step the participants will receive an overview of and general information about the specific situation of Switzerland as a small multicultural and multilingual country in the center of Western Europe. Following topics shall be covered: A brief history of Switzerland, geographical situation, cultural- and language regions, political situation, economical situation, population and migration, educational system(s) and school psychology in Switzerland.

With this body of knowledge in mind the second stepp will be the elaboration of key challenges  and problems for schools, teachers, pupils and school psychologists and also ways and means these issues are adressed. Following topics shall be covered: Empowering pupils with migration backround, cultural and religious diversity in schools, learning a national language as 2nd or 3rd tongue, learning foreign languages, empowering pupils with special needs, the role of school psychology in empowering pupils, parents, teachers and schools.

In a third step a significant part of the round table shall be open to the participants for questions and discussions according to their own interests.

Auteurs