A qualitative approach was used during the research period for this thesis. Interviews with both English as a second language (ESL) teachers and Norwegian as a second language (NL2) teachers were conducted, in addition to interviews with students from both schools. A total of 6 teachers and 10 students were interviewed. Complementing the interviews, observations of multiple ESL and NL2 lessons were also conducted. The results of the interviews were compared between the schools and discussed in light of the theory.
Through the research it was confirmed that the two target schools used two different approaches for teaching a second language, and the teachers presented varied advantages and disadvantages associated with the two models. The students presented various answers to the questions during the interviews, relating to the fact that they were part in different teaching models. Also, the two student groups were influenced by different social and individual factors. The outcome of the research led to the conclusion that the Norwegian school might benefit from trying a teaching method more similar to the one used in the American school. Based on the disadvantages presented by the NL2 teachers, the current approach to second language teaching was not beneficial enough for their school. However, the factors influencing the students outside of school led to a higher level of skill amongst the NL2 students than the ESL students, regardless of the fact that they were part in a less effective teaching model.
The significance of the outcome is considerable as the teaching model described in the ESL context could solve many of the problems the NL2 teachers had with their current teaching method. The results of this thesis could contribute to further studies of implementing the push-in teaching method to a Norwegian school. However, there are some implications as only one Norwegian school was the subject of this thesis, and the results are therefore a reflection of that particular school, and not all Norwegian schools in general. Additionally this can also be said of the school in the states, as the researcher does not have information on ESL teaching in other schools.