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Posted by:
Sonia Nieto
University
Amherst, MA
Topic:
Sonia Nieto's answer
Message:
This is a conundrum, yet we need to find ways to encourage communication even when there isn’t a shared language. Schools that have the resources can hire community liaisons who help with translations and can serve as interpreters during parent-teacher meetings. When such resources aren’t available, and if there are colleges and universities in the vicinity, international students can be recruited as volunteers to read to children in their native languages, and communicate with families during meetings and open houses.
I’ve also seen schools where a group of teachers come together on a regular basis to learn the native language of one of the languages of their students, and they learn enough to communicate with families on a rudimentary basis.
Alternatively, I’ve seen schools where ESL classes are offered to family members. Not only are the families then better able to communicate with teachers, but they also learn a valuable skill that can help them negotiate their new surroundings.
Finally, the message that they are welcome to visit and participate in the classroom, regardless of their fluency in English, is an important message to give families of all backgrounds. Teachers can invite parents to share literature with the children in their native language, or to teach children something else about their country. When this happens, parents and other family members learn to see teachers as learners also, and it can make the classroom a more comfortable place.
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