Project info
Project name
05.07 The impact of volunteer initiatives for informal language learning on the integration of migrant newcomers
Work package
- Inclusion
Sustainability threat
- Spillovers
Challenge
- Connecting communities
Study info
Description of Study
Language proficiency and contact with host society members are crucial for migrant newcomer integration. We investigated how positive intergroup contact with one language buddy may facilitate the integration of newcomers. 119 newcomers who participated in Kletsmaatjes, a Dutch online language buddy program, participated in a correlational study. Regression analyses (plus path analysis) showed that positive contact (enjoyment, self-disclosure, respect) with a language buddy was significantly linked to newcomers’ integration outcomes (cultural learning, sense of belonging). Interestingly, self-disclosure and enjoyment were most strongly linked to cultural learning, while respect was most strongly linked to belonging. Thematic coding offered insights in buddies’ interactions corroborating the quantitative insights. We discuss how a language buddy can be a stepping stone into a new society.
Study research question
How does positive intergroup contact with an online language buddy facilitate the integration of newcomers?
Collection provenance
- Collected during project
Collection methods
- Questionaire
- Other
Personal data
Yes
External Source
Source description
File formats
Data types
- Structured
- Unstructured
Languages
- Dutch
Coverage start
Coverage end
22/04/2021
09/05/2021
Spatial coverage
Kletsmaatjes (https://www.kletsmaatjes.nl/), an existing nation-wide online language buddy program in the Netherlands
Collection period start
22/04/2021
Collection period end
09/05/2021
Variables
Unit
Unit description
Sample size
Sampling method
Individuals
Newcomers who participated in Kletsmaatjes at the time of data collection
119
Recruitment via e-mail by program manager of Kletsmaatjes
Hypothesis
Theory
Positive intergroup contact (enjoyment, self-disclosure and respect) with a language buddy should be positively linked to newcomer integration (cultural learning and sense of belonging)
Intergroup Contact Theory
Engaging in self-disclosure with a language buddy is most strongly linked to cultural learning
Exploratory
Experiencing respect in language buddy contact is most strongly linked to sense of belonging
Exploratory
Variable type
Variable name
Variable description
Dependent variable
Cultural learning
The extent to which newcomers learned about Dutch culture and life in the Netherlands from their language buddy (adapted to sample).
Dependent variable
Sense of Belonging
Whether newcomers feel an accepted part of and having positive relationships with others in the host society (based on migrant belonging literature, adapted to sample).
Independent variable
Enjoyment
How much newcomers enjoyed the conversations with their language buddy (adapted to sample).
Independent variable
Self-disclosure
How much newcomers shared personal experiences in their daily lives with their language buddy (adapted to sample).
Independent variable
Respect
Whether newcomers experienced mutual respect in the contact with their language buddy (adapted to sample).
Discipline-specific operationalizations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that there are no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article. The first author, E.M. Heikamp, volunteered as a language buddy and coordinator at the research collaboration partner prior to data collection.
Data packages
Data
Data package DOI
10.1027/1864-9335/a000573
Description
Data for the study Integration Benefits of Intimate Intergroup Contact in an Online Language Buddy Program for Migrant Newcomers
Accessibility
Open Access
Repository
OSF
User license
CC BY 4.0
Retention period
10
Publications
Integration benefits of intimate intergroup contact in an online language buddy program for migrant newcomers
Documents
Filename
Description
Date
Ethics
Ethical assessment
Yes
Ethical committee
Ethical Committee Pschology, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Groningen