Abstract

This study examines Egyptian parents' attitudes towards their children's bilingualism in the context of English-medium international schools in Egypt. It also aims at comparing their past aspirations and motives to choose international schools and their current attitudes towards their children's school and educational experience. Research has shown that learners' attitudes towards the second language affect their language development. In addition, parents play a vital role in influencing their children's academic progress and attitudes towards their first language. Therefore, examining parents' opinions and attitudes towards their children's educational system and language learning is important to understand how these attitudes may influence their choices and home practices. The present study was conducted with the participation of parents of senior English-medium international school students in Egypt. In this study, 131 parents completed a survey; of those ten parents volunteered to be interviewed. Data has been analyzed qualitatively and descriptive statistics have been used to report findings. The findings confirmed the instrumental role of English in Egyptian society and parents' aspirations for their children to receive quality education and to find a good job in the future. Other motives for sending children to international schools have been found including the higher-socioeconomic level of students in international schools, acquiring a native-like accent and the highly qualified teachers hired in international schools. Parents discussed their former experiences that influenced their choice of the school, the skills their children develop in international schools and the fact that the other school systems in Egypt are deteriorating. In addition, the results revealed that parents believe that relatively little attention is given to Arabic by parents and even by the school. Some participants depend on the assistance of a private tutor or a sheikh to teach Arabic to their children. Other parents believe that English language is more important than Arabic nowadays for the academic and professional success of their children. The study can also be extended in the future to include children's attitudes and examine school curricula.

Degree Name

MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Graduation Date

2-1-2011

Submission Date

May 2014

First Advisor

Bassiouney, Reem

Committee Member 1

Bassiouney, Reem

Committee Member 2

Plumlee, Marilyn

Extent

88 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Library of Congress Subject Heading 1

Parents -- Egypt -- Attitudes.

Library of Congress Subject Heading 2

Parenting -- Egypt.

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

Comments

I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to my first reader, Dr. Reem Bassiouney, and my second reader, Dr. Marilyn Plumlee, who have been of great support and encouragement for me. I would also like to thank my third reader, Dr. Lori Fredricks, for her help and feedback on my thesis drafts. I would like to thank you all for making my defense day an unforgettable event in my life. A special 'thanks' goes to my parents, to whom this thesis is dedicated, for supporting me throughout this journey and for my mother’s prayers. I would have never completed this thesis without their love, confidence and help. Thanks to my brother, Sherif for taking care of me in days of sickness and frustration, and my fiancé, Diaa for his support and for helping me with the statistics. I am deeply grateful to my family for their advice, encouragement and care. Last but not least, I would like to thank my friends for their love and support. I would also like to thank all the parents who took part in this study and without whom I would not have completed this study.

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