“This Is The Way Young People Talk Today”. About Students’ Use of Hate Speech and Derogatory Language. Teachers’ Experiences and Teaching Practices

Article written based on the R&D project by UiA in Dembra's first R&D initiative in 2018-2019. Abstract: The article explores how teachers and professionals at a combined primary and secondary school experience and handle hate speech and derogatory statements among pupils when the language is perceived as negative disruptions to the school’s teaching and learning environment. Derogatory statements and hate speech are understood as statements directed at individuals and groups expressing dislike, resentment, contempt, or hostility. The expressions are often linked to prejudices and stereotypical perceptions and are in the study interpreted as distinctions where the differences that are pointed out have the character of a ranking between “we” and “the others.” 26 school employees responded to a questionnaire and the data collection were analysed using content analysis. The aim is twofold: First, to explore in what kind of situations the statements apply. Second, discussing helpful ways of approaching based on the employees’ own approaches. The data also show that the place and the school’s surroundings are of importance.