For instance, parents whose children are attending schools throughout this country may have a hard time w/ their children’s lessons, if they do not fully understand the language. Therefore, school districts should take that into consideration and provide necessary outlets for these parents. Many times its not that parents don’t want to get involved it’s that they do not understand the materials, and schoool districts need to realize that teachers can only do but so much.
How can school districts help foriegn parents be more involved in their children’s education?
15
Apr
Jimmie
April 15, 2010 at 3:25 am
Its very simple… America is a english speaking country! If you live here, you need to learn our language! Thank You!
deshane2530
April 15, 2010 at 4:06 am
Maybe they should involve parent’s in a language course after school or through a free program at a local center or even a college. They should be allowed to get involved at their child’s school and this will help them adapt.
Caffiend
April 15, 2010 at 4:15 am
In my opinion there should be an effort to present the information to the parents in a form which can be understood eg in their native tongues. Often these parents are very eager that their children learn the new language and master the skills needed to succeed.
There was a time in this country when immigrants, regardless of their legal status could go to settlement houses and take English lessons. This allowed them to be more involved in the entire mainstream of American society. However, people have to understand that learning a new language as an adult is not easy for everyone. Some of us struggle with the single language we were born to.
tee_nong_noy
April 15, 2010 at 4:22 am
I know from personal experience that most foreign students are more conscious of the importance of a good education than are their peers. (US students) During the 1980’s several 1000’s of Cambodian children were admitted to the US and subsequently enrolled in public school systems throughout the country. Very few of them had any English language skills, but guess what? They learned the language, they excelled in their studies, and some graduated as class valedictorian!
There’s several reasons; # 1 is motivation, you can’t fully appreciate the opportunities that open up to you through an education until you’ve been denied the right to attend school, and for those who were allowed to attend school, brainwashed with political propaganda and subjected to severe punishment if they had the courage to challenge what they were being taught.
#2 – Self-disciplane and family values; Oriental cultures place a much higher value on family unity than they do on individual desires. Extra curricular activities are less important to them than catching up academically. Older children are expected to tutor their siblings, share what they learn with the whole family.
RenoDeano
April 15, 2010 at 4:30 am
Invite each parent to share their culture on different days as part of your weekly curriculum encourage them to bring and share a folkway or even food that might be different .. encourage your students to enjoy and celebrate the differences or have a culture fair on the school grounds when the parents all take part in sharing their cultures with everyone else….
stankbref101
April 15, 2010 at 4:36 am
I am experiencing this from an opposing side, if you will. We live in Egypt and my children attend Egyptian schools. I do speak Arabic and I am educated in Arabic language and grammar, however, with subjects like Social Studies and History and Science, I am learning right along with my kids. (I know American History and Social Studies and I have to re-learn a whole new list of vocabulary for the sciences I studied in English.) It really is NOT easy at all for foreign parents to help their children with their homework in a second language. However, it is vital that the parents participate and learn as much as they can of the foreign language. Even if this means being only one lesson ahead of your child. As to the school district providing necessary outlets, most school districts in the U.S. will provide assistance to these parents IF the parents ask for it. I’ve found the assistance I’ve needed here and I also found that in Maryland I was given an Arabic interpreter when one of my children was being tested for autism (trying to determine if it was actually a speech developmental delay or just a bilingual issue.) Most school districts will assist if you ask.