INTEGRATING MINORITY, MIGRANT AND REFUGEE PUPILS IN SCHOOLS

INTEGRATING MINORITY, MIGRANT AND REFUGEE PUPILS IN SCHOOLS (6-day/ 7-day course) Limassol

Minorities, migrants and refugees have been increased significantly in the recent years bringing changes in the structure of societies. Their efforts to search for better economic and social opportunities, often force them to cross borders and settle in new areas. The inclusion of minorities, migrants and refugees increases diversity in schools and societies. In this context, societies are responsible to formulate rules and policies. Schools have an important role to play for the integration of minorities, migrants and refugees. Through understanding of, respect for and α productive dialogue between the different groups, schools aim to go beyond passive coexistence, to achieve a developing and sustainable way of living together in multicultural societies.

This 6-day course gives participants theoretical background about the integration of minorities, migrants and refugees in schools, as well as practical guidelines to integrate activities and implement programmes across the areas of the curriculum and school life. Discussions, site visits and group works will enrich sharing ideas and exchange of practice between participants. There is also the possibility to extend the course to 7-day.

Objectives

During the course, participants will:

discuss issues about migration in Europe & refugee crisis, challenges faced by migrant children, education policies supporting migrant children and dealing with the parents
discuss issues about Intercultural education (characteristics and models).
practice activities for team building; cultural awareness and expression; that enhance the sense of belonging and intercultural activities in a multicultural classroom.
discuss issues about the language of instruction and the home language
examine ways of managing diversity in classroom and creating inclusive culture in school
examine best practices & policies for integrating minority, migrant & refugee children
identify opportunities to integrate intercultural content across the areas of curriculum
examine the school and classroom planning for intercultural education
examine the use of ICT tools for classroom communication; for intercultural dialogue; for finding resources
examine ways about creating a secure and enriching environment for migrant children
deal with incidents of racism and bullying
visit sites, museums, monuments etc. and plan activities/ programmes.

Methodology

The working methods that are used are highly practical and participatory. The experiential method is used to encourage the search for contemporary pedagogical theories and teaching approaches. The hands-on approach is used to examine real examples, case studies, surveys and simulations. The group activities foster mutual learning, cooperation and collaboration between participants. The discussions encourage sharing ideas, intercultural dialogue and the exchange of good practices between the participants. Social, networking and cultural activities give participants the opportunity to establish professional cooperation and links with teachers, staff, schools and organisations in Europe. At the end of the course, participants fill in an e-questionnaire for evaluation.

Course schedule

DAY 1

Migration & refugee crisis
Dealing with migrant students' challenges
How do we deal with classroom diversity?
Migration & Education
Dealing with the parents
Education policies supporting migrant children
ICT tools for classroom communication

DAY 2

Activities for team building
Integrating newly arrived migrant students
Integrating migrant students in school
Activities for cultural awareness and expression
The use of ICT for intercultural dialogue
Early school leaving
The sense of belonging -Activities that enhance the sense of belonging
Doing artworks
Creating a secure and enriching environment

DAY 3

Visit to Limassol Old city center, Carob Mill Museum, Medieval Castle & Museum and other monuments.
Doing activities in the city center.
Data collection for the group work.

DAY 4

ICT tools for finding resources
Teaching the language of instruction
Home language teaching
Intercultural education
Models for Intercultural education
Characteristics of Intercultural education
Activities that encourage communication
Globalization and Intercultural Education
Inclusive education
Intercultural activities in a multicultural classroom
Intercultural education in Cyprus
Activities for integration of migrant pupils at Cypriot schools

DAY 5

School planning
Classroom planning
Celebrating diversity
Visit at Archaeological Museum of Limassol.
Visit at Municipal Garden.
Data collection for group work.

DAY 6

Activities for Secondary Education
Facing incidents of racism and bullying
Participants complete the group work, presentation of group work, review of the course, certificates.