Supporting reconnecting immigrant families with English Language Learners in rural schools: An exploratory study of Filipino arrivals to Alberta
Abstract
Immigration in Canada has traditionally been associated with urban areas, but rural communities are host to an increasing number of new immigrants. As students of these immigrant families arrive in rural schools, there is increasing pressure on rural school divisions to meet the needs of a diverse student population of English Language Learners (ELLs), though often with limited previous experience with such students. In many of these situations, the nature of the workforce has led to family separation during
the immigration process, with subsequent reunification in Canada. Newly-arrived immigrant students are thus having to develop academic English language proficiency as well as adjust to the dynamics of family reunification. This article recounts exploratory qualitative research on how Filipino secondary school immigrant students in Alberta, who are reconnecting with parents, acculturate and develop a sense of belonging when language and content acquisition, social-emotional, and acculturation supports are in
place. Data is drawn from interviews with immigrant families from the Philippines and from teachers’ written responses to reflection questions on their growth as educators of ELLs. Although the needs of reconnecting immigrant families are multifaceted and complex, the findings from this study suggest a supportive role can be played by schools in assisting such families both through enhanced coordination with the immigrant
community, and direct and explicit teacher training in pedagogical strategies for teachers of ELLs.
Notes
Future research / gaps identified:
This study is exploratory and preliminary.
Integration timeline: The article says ‘recent immigrants’ participated, but doesn’t specify further.
Key populations: Recent Filipino immigrants who now live in rural Alberta and have children in secondary school.
Open access: No
Community organizations: an unnamed school district in Alberta comprised of 22 schools, serving approximately 3,000 students and over 500 teachers in rural and/or small population centres.
Key findings:
Multifaceted and complex challenges are encountered by families separated and subsequently reunified during the immigration process.
A holistic approach is relevant when assisting with students’ learning and seeking to support reunifying families.
Support networks already extant within migrant communities are important. The aim should be offering support with, rather than simply for, intended recipients.
Data from teacher reflections highlighted the benefits of direct and explicit professional development on instructional strategies for ELLs for teachers, with particular attention to expanding the role and use of the Alberta K-12 ESL Benchmarks
Key recommendations:
Conduct similar studies in other rural schools and school jurisdictions in Alberta.
Location: rural and/or small population centres in Alberta (not otherwise specified)