Notes
Key populations: newcomer students in Albertan high schools
Community organizations: Calgary Board of Education’s Global Learning Services
Future research / gaps identified:
Develop, implement and evaluate interventions to help newcomer high school students make friends with local students.
Integration timeline: not defined
Key findings:
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Students reported that their English language insufficiency was a barrier to making friends, as they believed local students would get bored/inpatient. Students were more likely to make friends in ESL classes.
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Students noted personality shifts before and after immigration that impacted their social capital and relationships.
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Having a supportive, welcoming host family helped students who came to Canada alone develop friendships.
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Students experienced bullying, discrimination and/or Islamophobia from both other students and teachers.
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Navigating high school cliques was unfamiliar for many newcomer students.
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Differences in cultural beliefs and social norms also posed a barrier to making friends.
Key recommendations:
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Integrate newcomer students into typical classrooms to encourage friendships with other students, rather than just restricting them to ESL classes.
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Provide cultural awareness education to all students, teachers, and other school staff.
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Facilitate introductions and social gatherings as a required part of class, as well as having optional social gathering opportunities school-wide.
