A Qualitative Research on the Increase of Cultural Capital and Educational Inequality through Foreign Language Classes in Schools

There are many studies suggesting that the choice of private school is a cultural capital investment of upper – and middle-class families in order to differentiate their children from the lower classes and to increase their social status. in this study, we reveal that families use foreign language-based classes created within secondary schools in the new period in order to meet these needs. the study is based on the data of the field research conducted by using the qualitative research method and semistructured interview technique with 25 parents of students whose children are studying in foreign language-based classes of secondary schools and a total of 25 teachers from different branches working in schools with foreign language-based classes. in the study, it was revealed that middle-class families enroll their children in foreign language-based classes in order to improve their children’s social status. this practice leads to the emergence of different stigmas within the school, especially between parents and teachers. foreign language-based classroom practice causes educational inequalities between students who study in these classes and those who do not. at this point, measures can be taken to prevent economic conditions from being a significant factor in the preference of foreign languagebased classroom practice. in order to achieve this, it is necessary to provide schools with material richness, especially in foreign language learning.