By Linda Boland-Quigley
It is essential for parents to be involved in their children’s education, but language and culture can be a barrier. I spoke to five parents about the barriers to getting involved in their children’s school.
Barriers
Language is a major barrier for many parents who want to be active in their children’s education. Parents who did not speak English as their first language feared not understanding what was being said to them and vice versa, that they would not be understood. Not being able to read English added to this barrier. Missing or misunderstanding school communications could lead to lost opportunities to get involved.
Cultural differences such as unfamiliarity with the school system compared to that of their home country also contributed to missed opportunities.
Being time poor was another barrier. Parents working or caring for other children often couldn’t attend school events during the day.
Benefits of Involvement in the School Community
Parents noted a sense of belonging and the chance to build a community were major benefits. They valued the opportunity to meet people from different cultures, socialize, and make friends. Getting involved helped them learn new skills, including improved English and communication.
Some parents mentioned how involvement boosted their confidence. One parent, who had left a career in her home country and was now a housewife, spoke about how difficult it was to adjust to life in the new country. Becoming active in school life helped her build a new network, which she described as a new family.
Celebrating Home Languages
All parents highlighted the importance of celebrating home languages, particularly to show their children (some of whom were embarrassed to speak their own language) that their culture and language are valued in school. Involving parents and extended family in sharing their language and culture with the wider school community is invaluable.
Tips to Encourage and Facilitate Parent Involvement
- Encourage the use of parents’ (and wider family’s) knowledge of different languages and cultures within the school and classrooms.
- Promote the mother tongue in school. For example, parent volunteers can read in both English and other languages; children and parents can share songs or phrases from their home languages with the class; a week-long celebration of the languages and cultures in the school can be held.
- Develop clear, inclusive policies on parental involvement, defining what it looks like at both the home and school level and highlighting its far-reaching benefits.
- Ask translators to help with important school communications. It ensures parents who have English as an additional language can access key information. This access can be very empowering and reinforces the importance of their involvement.
- School staff play a pivotal role in the level of parental involvement. One parent recalled how an invitation from the school secretary to join English classes opened the door to getting involved. Schools must invest to help staff understand the value of parental involvement and challenge assumptions about why some parents may not yet be engaged.
