Putting yourself in the new arrival’s shoes

Scenario: You are moving to a new country (pick a country which has a different script such as China, Saudi Arabia or Bangladesh).  You can only take a suitcase with you.  Discuss your thoughts on the following groups of questions;

How would you feel about moving?

• What would you take?
• What would you leave behind?
• Who would you miss?
• What activities would you miss?

How would you feel about learning the language?

• Do you think other people would speak English?
• What if no one spoke English – how would you communicate?
• Do you think you would be able to make friends?
• How would you feel if people laughed at you when you tried to speak their language?

How would you feel about your work?

• How would you understand the lessons?
• How would you feel if you couldn’t write the alphabet/characters?
• Which lessons do you think you would understand more easily?
• What things could your class and teacher do to help you learn?
• Each group could give a short oral presentation and together come up with a plan for the new arrival.

Plenary: Feedback the information from the groups. 

Progress the thinking: “Using your understanding of how someone may feel about arriving in a new place and not being able to speak the language – can you think of actual things we can do in our class or school to help our new classmate settle in?”

Put together an action plan as a class with up to 5 concrete ways they can help.

This article follows ''A Recipe for a Successful Start for New Arrivals in School.'