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Peer diversity, college performance and educational choices

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  • Chevalier, Arnaud
  • Isphording, Ingo E.
  • Lisauskaite, Elena

Abstract

We study the effect of ethno-linguistic classroom composition on performance, educational choices and post-graduation migration of students. In the setting of a British University where assignment to seminars is plausibly exogenous, we define two measures of classroom composition: the share of non-native speakers and the linguistic diversity of the non-speaker group. Non-native speaker’s performance benefits from greater linguistic diversity. Native speakers are unaffected by classroom composition. Survey information points to changed interaction patterns in the classroom as a likely mechanism. While ethno-linguistic seminar composition has no meaningful impact on subsequent course choice, the effect of initial diversity on grades persists until the final year of study. The results imply that avoiding segregation along language lines is key in providing education for an international student body.

Suggested Citation

  • Chevalier, Arnaud & Isphording, Ingo E. & Lisauskaite, Elena, 2020. "Peer diversity, college performance and educational choices," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:labeco:v:64:y:2020:i:c:s0927537120300385
    DOI: 10.1016/j.labeco.2020.101833
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    Cited by:

    1. Alexandra de Gendre & Krzysztof Karbownik & Nicolás Salamanca & Yves Zenou, 2024. "Integrating Minorities in the Classroom: The Role of Students, Parents, and Teachers," NBER Working Papers 32429, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Arnaud Chevalier, 2022. "How to attract international students?," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 1-36, May.
    3. Fouarge, Didier & Heß, Pascal, 2023. "Preference-choice mismatch and university dropout," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    4. Jürges, Hendrik & Makles, Anna M. & Naghavi, Arash & Schneider, Kerstin, 2022. "Melting pot kindergarten: The effect of linguistic diversity in early education," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    5. Pregaldini, Damiano & Balestra, Simone & Backes-Gellner, Uschi, 2022. "Does Ethnic Diversity in Schools Affect Occupational Choices?," IZA Discussion Papers 15780, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    6. Costas-Fernández, Julián & Morando, Greta & Holford, Angus, 2023. "The effect of foreign students in higher education on native students’ outcomes," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    7. Wennberg, Karl & Norgren, Axel, 2021. "Models of Peer Effects in Education," Working Papers 21/3, Stockholm School of Economics, Center for Educational Leadership and Excellence.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Higher education; Diversity; Peer effects; Foreign students;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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