It is common knowledge that the Canary Islands has become a popular place for migrants of all nationalities. The islands are rich in culture, languages, and people, making them a main attraction for millions of tourists. Some people have migrated there because they seek better opportunities which has resulted in a significant impact on educational practices in the Canary Islands.
Migration has its opportunities and challenges in the Canary Islands, but let us first look at some of its implications:
Education and migration have led to cultural enrichment in the Canary Islands. People come from diverse backgrounds bringing their cultures, languages, and traditions with them which makes it possible for people from different backgrounds to learn from each other and try to understand each other.
Migrants have different views, perspectives, experiences, and customs which gives them the opportunity to teach each other languages, adopt their traditions, and share their values and beliefs.
Students studying in the Canary Islands no longer have a narrow mindset because they view global issues from each other's perspectives. School activities are also more fun because they incorporate different cultures into their activities.
This provides a learning ground for students to know how they can thrive in an increasingly interconnected world even when they leave the Canary Islands because they are armed with global awareness, patience with each other, and empathy.
Another impact of migration on educational practices and student diversity in the Canary Islands is language diversity. Students have to adapt to different learning instructions and sometimes take up bilingual programs so that they will understand what is being taught to them.
It has led to an increase in demand for language support services, bilingual and even multilingual teachers, paper writing services, language exchange programs, and the adaptation of better curricula to accommodate different language needs.
Language diversity sometimes hinders academic success for students who cannot learn multiple languages. When schools in the Canary Islands embrace language diversity, they are better able to make students feel included and accepted.
Another impact of education for immigrants in the Canary Islands is the inclusive curriculum. Their curriculum has to include different histories, perspectives, experiences, and learning methods to accommodate students from all walks of life.
Schools will have to incorporate multicultural resources and literature, case studies, role models, global issues, and student-led projects among others. This inclusive curriculum helps schools show migrants that they are raising and teaching students who will be globally aware of things.
Empathy and understanding will be on the increase among students. Student-led projects will motivate students and keep them engaged in learning. So, having an inclusive curriculum breaks down social barriers that are prevalent in schools with diverse students. It makes students feel welcomed and supported.
In the Canary Islands, there have been challenges in the assessment and evaluation of students because they come from diverse backgrounds and understand things differently which has led to teachers using innovative assessment methods. Challenges posed when assessing students from diverse backgrounds include language barriers which affect students' understanding. Students have different learning expectations and styles based on their cultural differences.
They have diverse educational backgrounds, biases, and assessment methods. To combat these challenges in the Canary Islands, most educators have developed culturally responsive assessments. They make use of diverse assessment tools; they consider the previous learning experiences of their students, and they constantly develop professionally to handle students with diverse needs and backgrounds.
Another impact of migration on educational practices in the Canary Islands is teacher training and support. Training teachers helps to address linguistic and cultural diversities because they will learn how to meet the needs of diverse students.
When teachers are trained, they can create a better learning environment for migrants. They can make use of responsive teaching practices, address the needs of migrant students, foster better relationships with students, and use the best teaching practices for students.
There are resource issues due to migration in educational practices in the Canary Islands. There is overcrowding in some schools which makes it difficult to have a good learning environment for students. There are limited materials and equipment in some schools due to lack of resources to get them. Some teachers' workload has increased leading to them being burnt out because it is not all teachers that are bilingual or multilingual.
Some students also face barriers in accessing support services that can help them because there are limited resources. To mitigate these resource issues, more funding is needed and sometimes migrants should pay more in terms of their school fees.
Community organisations and non-governmental organisations should form partnerships with the schools to help them with resources, funding, and personnel. Schools should use efficient resource management strategies so that a good learning environment will be provided for students.
There are several challenges that migrant has to student diversity in the Canary Islands:
● The predominant language in the Canary Islands is Spanish, so students may face communication challenges because most migrants cannot speak Spanish.
● The values, learning styles, and expectations of students are different based on their cultural differences which can be challenging.
● Some schools have resource constraints which makes it difficult to have funding, materials, and personnel to support migrant students.
● Language barriers, diverse educational backgrounds, and cultural differences may pose a challenge when it comes to assessing students.
● Some students who are migrants may find it challenging to be integrated into society.
The solutions to these challenges include:
● Providing language classes and support to migrants studying in the Canary Islands.
● Offering a curriculum that is inclusive and relevant to students from different works of life.
● There should be different instruction and teaching strategies for students based on their needs, styles, and abilities.
● Resources should be allocated effectively to support migrant students, including funding, materials, and personnel.
● There should be provision of ongoing training and support for educators to address cultural and linguistic diversity.
The impact of migration on educational practices and student diversity in the Canary Islands has been significant. It has with it diverse challenges and opportunities for students this has made school administrators, policymakers, and educators create an inclusive learning experience for its students. This has ultimately led to the Canary Islands being rich in cultural diversity, inclusivity, and tolerance which has benefited migrants and all members of the society.
