MIGRANT STUDENTS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL RODICA

- PRESENTATION OF PEDAGOGICAL WORK

(PRESENTATION FOR COMENIUS PARTNERS)

Principles of the Slovenian education system: EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES, THE POSSIBILITY OF CHOICE, FOSTERING OF EXCELLENCE, QUALITY OF

EDUCATION, THE INCREASE OF THE TEACHER AND

SCHOOL`S AUTONOMY AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY,

PLURALITY OF CULTURES AND KNOWLEDGE,

LIFELONG LEARNING.

The majority of our students are Slovenians, while other students are descendants of immigrants and migrant students. Among them, there are less than 20 who have started primary education without the knowledge of the Slovenian language. Therefore, they are more exposed.

Work with newly arrived migrant children in our school and classes:• ESTABLISH CONTACT WITH CHILDREN, relationships,• Promote peer contacts and HELP (game help, talk ... )• Maintain contact with parents.

Work with other classmates:• teach children how to establish and maintain relationships with migrant students.

IMPORTANT RULES FOR TEACHERS :

• Rejoice ENRICHMENT OF LIFE in classes with native and migrant students• Be aware that we are as teachers a model of behavior for students• BE sympathetic and respectful,• to learn.

Project days about culture, tradition and language of Mexico, Kosovo, Ukraine, MacedoniaWHY ?•faster and more successful adaptation to the new environment of the child•facilitate the quality of learning•respect the child and its culture (enhance self-esteem )•learn about their own culture (comparative )•the development of tolerance, cooperation among children

Contents:• Folk Tales , Songs and Dances ;• Cuisine ; Cookery• Traditional products;• Ethnic patterns;• Dictionary ...

Our partners in this project parents, teachers and other experts.

Promotion of culture of migrant students:• Lessons, various festivals, events and celebrations.

It is important to pay attention to such events and that we allow that migrant students cooperate in the preparation, as well as Slovenian students.Multiculturalism has to be set as a fact and a value.

COOPERATION WITH PARENTSIt is an important factor for the successful integration of migrant students in the school (well-being in a group, progress in learning and knowledge of language ...).

Regardless the circumstances, it is necessary to establish contact with them as soon as (translators - Slovenian partner, other parents in the same environment, communication in English, if necessary use gestures, concrete illustration).

Important source of information - our partners (e.g., characteristics of the child, his past school experience, experience in our school, well-being, problems ...).

Cooperation has to be adapted to their wishes, needs, abilities:

homework (helping as much as they can, the rest in of the school)

attendance (at the beginning when needed, as translators for their child),

common activities (including parents of other children).

Encourage them to speak with their child at home in their native language, to keep in touch with their culture.

Informing parents of other pupils (key information, benefits, problems, support of their children and support in any family of a migrant child, participation).

LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE LESSONS Designed to speed up learning / progress in the

language, the correction of deficits in knowledge.

Upgrading work in the classroom.

Carry out by classroom teachers, second teacher.

In the extent of 10 hours, 2 years (depending on the needs - usually insufficient).

If possible, simultaneous implementation of several migrant students at the same time, sometimes with classmates.

Advantages: learning from each other - reinforcing strong areaseasier to talk with their peers than with teachers(more relaxed) acquiring / strengthening work habits,detection of differences / problems, developing solidarity.How to perform: the starting point is the child's experience, work with concrete materials, photographs, books (with less text or easy comprehensive texts),playing didactic games ...

As a rule: a good and relatively rapid progress - at the beginning of the primary education the language of instruction is more or less the same as the language in everyday use.

At the same time, we encourage the child, according to his interests, to participate in extracurricular activities (e.g. sports, art), where (un) knowledge of the language is not such an obstacle, allowing him more contact with peers and to have a better sense of group appurtenance.