Sprachstand 4-jähriger Kinder mit Migrationshintergrund in Hessen: quo vadis?

A sustainable integration of persons with immigration background is more topical than ever before. The importance of language as one of the key aspects of integration is beyond discussion. In 2018, ca. 1 091 000 persons with the non-German citizenship were registered in the German state of Hesse. One third of all Hessian inhabitants and a half of those of preschool age had an immigration background. The tendency is increasing due to, first, ongoing immigration and, second, higher birth rates in non-German families. Consequently, the numbers of preschoolers with minimal German language skills and with language-related disorders such as hearing disorders are also rising. This study aimed to analyze the German language competence of Hessian four-year-old children with immigration background. The assessment was carried out by the validated, standardized test "Kindersprachscreening". For children who were classified as needing additional medical assistance in acquiring German, following variables were analyzed: participation in therapies, known diagnoses of impairments and illnesses, parents' and kindergarten teachers' awareness of the child's need for additional medical assistance in acquiring German.