Putting a Human Face on the Immigration Debate
A unit on immigration with Spanish-language students
In this article by Steven Picht-Trujillo and Paola Ledezma discuss the collaboration of two teachers that joined forces to teach students about immigration. They did this by putting together lessons and activities to raise awareness about the struggles of immigrants and their contribution to American society. They wanted to make students aware of the circumstances facing many of the students attending the school and their families. This teaching takes place in Valencia high school located in Palencia California. Valencia high school serves a student population of 2,500 and over half of the school's students are Latino. There were two classes that collaborated on the lesson plan. The first class is Steve's class which comprises of students of different ethnic backgrounds learning first-and-third year spanish. The second class is Paola's class which comprises of mainly spanish speaking students , majority are first-and-second generation immigrants from Mexico, some of who recently arrived the United States. Paola teaches second-and-third year classes. Both teachers had to align the lessons with California standards for foreign language instructions.
The lesson plans had various teaching topics like the pros and cons of immigration to the United States, discussions of both sides of the spectrum debating immigrants issues, along with many other topics affecting immigrants. Students had to write and prepare bilingual skits of situations that were derived from news articles and later had to present it to the combined classes. The teachers were aware that some of the topics were sensitive, especially for Paola's class which comprised of some recent immigrant students. Some of these students became emotional because they could relate to some of the stories that were discussed in class. Some had difficulties writing about some events due to their recent traumatic journey into the United States. One of the discussions was the immigration situation, especially as it relates to undocumented immigrants. Both classes had different opinions on this issue but upon discussion" Paola's students, by putting themselves in the shoes of others, they gained a better understanding of those who fight against undocumented immigrants and they learned to discuss and defend their own positions in the immigration debate in both english and spanish. For Steve's students, they came away with a deeper understanding of the issues and how they relate to their fellow classmates."
In the end of the lesson plan both teachers found that putting a human face on immigration issues was challenging but also a very rewarding experience. They felt the need to teach the students that regardless of whether they came into the country legally or illegally the motivation is the same. The motivation is to secure the best opportunity not only for themselves, but mainly for their children. Both teachers saw the growth of students understanding of issues affecting immigrants and their families. The goal and hope is to plant a seed so that these students can begin to effect changes in their communities and possibly change the attitudes and perceptions of those around them.
I chose this article because I currently work in a school where a significant number of students are recent immigrants, primarily from Central America. I encounter many challenges that these students are faced with as they adjust to a different language and lifestyle that are different from what they are accustomed in their home countries. I believe that it is great to teach students the realities and struggles of immigrants, it allows for students to recognize and value the diverse experiences of immigrants and of children from other countries. I think it also allows for immigrant children to appreciate the sacrifices that their parents had to make in order to give them the best opportunity. I included this video that emphasizes the significance of sharing immigrant stories is a great way to broaden our understanding of the various reasons why immigrants leave their country.
Great post, I am a school nurse and have many MLL immigrant students. Im impressed with how well many of our student do learning a new language, a new home a new life. Many of my students have to translate for their parents which makes it difficult calling home when they are sick.
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