Mathematikkenntnisse und Sprachliche Kompetenz bei Kindern mit Migrationshintergrund zu Beginn der Grundschulzeit

The handicap of students with migration background within the German educational system has often been substantiated by empirical educational research. One of the main reasons for this disadvantage is insufficient competence in the language of instruction, which in turn restricts the adequate use of learning opportunities. The authors report on a study on the relation between knowledge in mathematics and language competence carried out among 556 children in 25 classes of the first grade. The results indicate that first-graders with migration background are disadvantaged in specific areas of the accumulation of mathematical knowledge if they show deficits in the language of instruction.