Proud to be tvmbo - Kortlopend Onderwijsonderzoek

learning. This is very motivating for them. Tvmbo allows students to communicate
about what they are learning in English: there is often a real, immediate reason to
communicate. Vollmer suggests that learning English is deepened if it is used in a
more meaningful and challenging way (Vollmer, 2006). Tvmbo can achieve this.
2.4.4 Cross-cultural communication and understanding
Learning in another language apparently also has a positive effect on students’ ability
to learn other languages and to be able and willing to communicate with others, including
people of different cultural backgrounds (Marsh and Hill, 2007). Vollmer also
mentions that CLIL is important for students for “becoming linguistically and culturally
sensitive and knowledgeable and for developing democratic citizenship and participation
within Europe” (Vollmer, 2006: 177). Tvmbo can thus improve crosscultural
understanding and communication.
2.4.5 Creativity
Research on understanding the impact of multilingualism on the brain is at a very early
stage. New studies on multilingualism suggest that there might be a link between
learning in another language and improved creativity. “Multilingualism appears to
help people realize and expand their creative potential… thinking, learning, problem
solving and communicating… show signs of enhancement through multilingualism”
(Marsh and Hill, 2007: 71). These findings are, however, tentative and anecdotal.
2.5 Suitability of CLIL for all students
Researchers, educators and parents of students in bilingual education are sometimes
worried about the suitability of bilingual education. Does it affect, for example, students
who perform poorly, have below average levels of academic ability, learning
disabilities, or who have difficulties in Dutch? Happily, many studies in CLIL and bilingual
education show that “students’ first language development and academic
achievement are similar to (or better than) those of non-immersion students” (e.g. Lyster,
2007: 22). Students who learn English in bilingual programmes often score higher
in English than students who only have regular English lessons. There are also several
studies which look at how suitable bilingual education is for all students, not only the
‘higher level’ ones. This was one focus of the literature study for this publication.
2.5.1 Canada: French immersion
In Canada, French immersion was introduced in 1960 as an option for all students and
continues to this day. Genesee has done a number of studies about the suitability of
28