Working with Immigrant Students Dr. DEBORAH HARDY

History of Immigration Europeans Germans: highest group – religious reasons Irish: work – sought to build canals in the US Italy: escape low wages and high taxes Russians: escaping the Jewish persecution Reasons for Immigration: Religion “American Dream”

2007 Trends in Immigration The nation’s immigrant population (legal and illegal) reached a record of 37.9 million in 2007 The largest increases in immigrants were in California, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Illinois, Arizona, Virginia, Maryland, Washington, Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania In 2007, there were 10.8 million school-age children from immigrant families in the United States Immigrants: Mexico, Central/South America, Caribbean, Asia are the newest groups Center for Immigration Studies: http://www.cis.org/articles/2007/back707.html

Future of Immigration 2060 population will increase by 30.1 million Activity: Identify “What reasons are given to describe why immigrants come to the US?”

The Terminal http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808469030/trailer

Counseling Immigrant Children Acculturation: process of adaptation to the new ways of life. Clothes used Food Sense of belonging Assimilation: process in which the customs and attitudes of the prevailing groups are adopted Peer pressure Self image – weight

Checklist on how to become American Stages of adaptation: Silent stage -1-2 years – fear and loneliness Uprooting stage: time of instinct - curiosity Culture shock: loss of familiar signs, depression, confusion Acculturation/Assimilation: should personal culture be given up? Mainstream stage: break with own culture Checklist on how to become American Activity: You are an immigrant student: Identify three items you find are important to define you as becoming American.

Counseling Immigrant Students Family Backgrounds Who were they residing with? What were the professions adults had Family roles and expectations Education Role of school: Teachers and administrators are masters Show respect Luxury and not an opportunity What about college in native country Only the strong survive and attend Entrance exams in their native country – competition Strikes are inevitable

Please list 3 characteristics that describe Shrek

Counselor’s role Personal Bias Teaching tolerance Respect Culture Believe that all students are capable of learning Building network of support for communication

Counseling Counseling concerns: Flexibility – no time concept Communication – translation of materials Meeting with counselor may be perceived as threatening Use friends and ministers Knowing my business Concerned about treatment

Family Backgrounds Who were they residing with? What were the professions adults had Family roles and expectations

The New School Learning English or Diploma? What works in schools? Special Education and ESL: When is it learning vs. language barriers Cultural perception of Special Education Motivation of students who are our learners? Engage cultural differences in class discussions Utilize background of students in context Tasks are relevant and meaningful – cultural context

Social Concerns Utilizing students for translation Social interaction: dating is looked down upon Americanization means that person has acquired all bad habits Babysitting phenomena & Cinderella syndrome American adolescent image Immigrants and mental health Undocumented Can’t obtain a driver’s license Future in this country Anger towards parents who brought them here against their will Can’t get into college Can’t get a good job

New Family Who are they living with? Are there any other siblings? What jobs did the families have in their native country vs. US? Living conditions Roles assigned in families What other problems are they facing? ACTIVITY – with your neighbor identify a problem an immigrant family will be faced with – as a counselor, what would you do?

Building Network Go to the community Presentations at local church Presentations at local cultural community centers Agencies in the community Latino centers Hospitals and mental health agencies Parent Center

Resources INS: Immigration ASCA and ACA National Association for Bilingual Education