Topic 2: Strategies, Approaches and Techniques

Supportive and self-estimating strategy

Teachers can foster a sense of safety and trust by sharing some of their own experiences, and by assigning older students to act as mentors to new migrant students. Moreover, most migrant students have lived and traveled in several states. Teachers can incorporate into lessons these diverse experiences and the richness of students’ cultures and languages. Examples include recognizing migrants for their travel experiences, knowledge of geography, and for overcoming crises on the highway. Building on these experiences and capabilities validates students’ knowledge. Such validation enhances students’ self-images and sense of self-worth.

Cooperative learning approach

Use cooperative learning. Both theory and research support cooperative learning as an effective instructional strategy. Studies have shown that migrant students do well in cooperative learning settings because they sense other students are encouraging and supporting their efforts to achieve. Cooperative learning lowers anxiety levels and strengthens motivation, self-esteem, and empowerment by using students as instructional agents for their classmates. Students take responsibility for both their own learning and the learning of their peers. By becoming active group participants, they gain equal access to learning opportunities.