Perceptions of School Counselors and Upper Elementary Counselees on Bilingual Counseling in Lebanese Private Schools

Abstract

Language in counseling plays a crucial role in affecting the counseling relationship and the sessions’ objectives. By nature, people come from different backgrounds which is evident in counseling when communicating in one language or another. This has necessitated that counselors emphasize the language used during the sessions as it might carry emotional value. The literature reveals a lack of empirical data in the field of Bilingual Counseling, especially in Lebanon. The purpose of this research study was to explore: (a) the perceptions of school counselors on using bilingual counseling with upper-elementary student counselees; (b) the factors affecting the use of bilingual counseling according to the school counselors; (c) the perceptions of upper-elementary student counselees towards their verbal and non-verbal self-expression; and (d) the factors affecting the use of bilingual counseling with upper-elementary students. Four research questions guide the current study: (a) How do school counselors perceive using bilingual counseling with upper-elementary students’ verbal and non-verbal self-expression?; (b) What are the factors affecting the use of bilingual counseling according to school counselors? (c) How do upper-elementary students perceive the effect on their verbal and non-verbal self-expression while attending bilingual counseling sessions?; and (d) What are the factors affecting the use of bilingual counseling according to upper-elementary students?

The data were examined using a combination of methods such as thematic analysis, microanalysis, and descriptive statistics. The results of the interviews and integrated vignettes were used to develop several main themes. The study's main findings revealed that counselors and counselees had differing perceptions of the use of language in counseling sessions. One significant finding was that the Arabic language is highly regarded and plays a significant part in some of the participants’ lives. However, it was also found that counselors and counselees relied heavily on using the English language in their daily communication expressing their emotions and thoughts in and outside counseling sessions. Another significant finding was the reliance and the translation of body language into the participants’ understanding. Both counselors and counselees agreed on the usefulness of bodily responses and reactions in communicating one’s thoughts, ideas, and emotions but also understanding others. The implications would provide researchers and practicing counselors with some exploratory data about students’ perceptions of language choice and its efficacy in enhancing the counseling encounter. Future research recommendations and implications for practice were presented.