Language barrier biggest hurdle for educators, immigrants

This school partners every new immigrant child with someone who speaks their language. They understand that communication is the most important hurdle to overcome, especially with 29 different languages spoken there. DP

By ERICA JACOBSON, Norwich Bulletin

norwichbulletin.com: There are a lot of things school administrators don't know about immigrant students attending their schools for the first time this fall.

It's hard to know which countries they will come from, what records of previous education they will bring or what amount of English, if any, they will speak.

One thing the region's schools can count on is immigrant students will come.

And schools will need to be prepared to do everything from welcome them into new classrooms to act as initial ambassadors to a completely new culture.

"They're not immigrant kids, they're our kids," said Bill Hull, assistant superintendent of Montville schools. "We welcome them with open arms as we do with all students."

Communication is typically the biggest hurdle to overcome.

Even if an immigrant student has a fairly good grasp of English, there is no guarantee the child's parents will understand what educators are saying. At Montville, school information is prepared in several languages, including Chinese.

"What makes it more difficult for us at times is that communication piece," Hull said. "It is so different."

There are 29 languages represented in the student body at Norwich Free Academy, according to guidance director Larry Rich. He said the school uses existing students and staff members to help acclimate new arrivals.
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