Studie - ecos

Potenziale und Herausforderungen der Expats-Integration in der Region Basel
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5) Greater coordination between the cantons, but also between cantons and companies
6) Consistent follow-up (use of social media, mentoring system, tips for potential
services).
Rationale: The initial phase is crucial for successful integration, yet obtaining information
is often difficult (language barrier). Events of this kind should be used as
the first step towards successful integration. Off-peak times enable participation of
the entire family; a “trade fair” would allow initial contacts to be forged, for example
in the sphere of private volunteering. Moreover, greater coordination between cantons
and companies would help to trigger and raise awareness of opportunities for
social integration within the companies themselves.
2) Introduction of an international school-leaving certificate (graduation, baccalaureate)
at Basel’s upper secondary cantonal schools
Description: A high standard is offered by both local educational models, namely
those of private international schools as well as those of state-run schools. A school
helps children and parents alike to form contacts and thereby breaks down barriers
between parallel societies. However, the additional complications in recognizing the
school-leaving qualifications of Swiss state schools makes it more difficult for expat
parents to send their children to these institutions.
Rationale: Assimilation of children (and their parents) into the community is limited:
among other things, the school-leaving qualifications of state schools do not
find it easy to achieve international recognition. An international school-leaving certificate
(at university entrance level and possibly secondary level) would provide assurance
and give expats an incentive to send their children to state schools, which in
turn would help to break down barriers between parallel societies and overcome language
barriers.
3) Introduction of immersive learning
Description: Here too the focus is on how schools bring children and parents in contact
with another and help open up parallel societies. Another reason why expat parents
send their children to international schools is that the language barrier is initially
formidable, which has a deterrent effect – yet children learn languages quickly. The
opportunity to engage in immersive learning, which is only partly available at the
current time in state-run schools, should therefore be introduced across the board.
Rationale: Language is the key factor in social integration. Immersive tuition lowers
the language barrier and provides additional opportunities for expat and Swiss children
alike. Together with the introduction of an international school-leaving qualification
(recommendation 2), this would create an incentive for expat parents to send
their children to state schools. This in turn would improve assimilation of children
and parents, enabling parallel societies to open up to one another.