The Social-Cultural and Educational Challenges Encountered By Newcomer Libyan Students in English Schools

By

Chapter 1: Introduction1

Background of the Problem1

Statement of the Problem3

Aims and Objectives3

Aim3

Objectives3

Research Questions4

Adopted Research Design5

Participant Observations6

Semi-structured Interviews6

Data analysis7

Rationale of this Study7

Significance of this Study8

Key Concepts9

Structure of the Dissertation10

Summary of the Chapter12

Chapter 2: Literature Review13

Introduction13

The Arabs and their Culture16

Arab Culture19

Arab Family dynamics20

Arab Language21

Immigration and Settlement in the UK21

Immigration-Host Relationship23

Integration Theory27

Educational achievements29

Socio-Cultural Challenges faced by the Students35

Coping with being an Immigrant37

British Schools and Muslim Students39

Migrant Students41

Educational Challenges43

Role of the Family44

Role of the Teacher49

Cultural Shock and EFL Students52

Summary of the Chapter61

References67

Appendixes85

Appendix 1- Omar85

1.1.Observations85

1.2.Interviews88

Appendix 2- Sadeem90

2.1.Observations90

2.2.Interviews92

First Interview92

Second Interview92

Third Interview93

Appendix 3- Abdullah95

3.1.Observations95

3.1.1 First Observation95

3.1.2 Second Observation98

3.1.3 Third Observation99

3.2 Interviews100

First Interview100

Second Interview102

Third Interview103

Appendix 4- Adam106

4.1 Interviews106

4.2 Interview with Student's Teacher(s)110

4.3 Interview with the Parent(s)113

The Social-Cultural and Educational Challenges Encountered By Newcomer Libyan Students in English Schools

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Problem

The United Kingdom today is a multicultural society composed of individuals belonging to different cultures. There are also many immigrants in the UK who have come from foreign countries to seek new and better life opportunities. Apart from beginning a new life, these immigrants have either been forced to migrate to another country because of different reasons such as political and social turmoil in their native countries. Ever since the war of terror had begun, many western countries have received thousands of immigrants from many Arab countries of Iraq, Iran, Syria and Libya amongst others. Thus, arriving in a new country, these immigrants face numerous challenges such as differences in culture, language and social norms and values. Hence, this study aims to highlight and focus upon analyzing one of the significant challenges faced by the Arab migrant population living in the UK, which are the educational oriented challenges faced by the school going young Arab immigrant children in their new schools. In addition, historically it has been determined that all Arab living in western countries, such as UK and North America, trace their roots to two main waves of population immigration on their land by Arabs. These include the mid-nineteenth century migration to seek better economic opportunities. While, the second wave of Arab immigrants to the UK was as a result of the War in the Arabic peninsula in the 1960's.

According to Allhutt (2006) as per the statistics released by the government in 2005, the figures indicated that over fifteen hundred immigrants arrived daily to the UK. Similarly, Jentsch (2007) highlights that globally more than one hundred and ninety million individuals now live outside the countries of their birth or citizenship. The reasons for this could be manifold, such as better economic and job opportunities, political and social upheaval in their own country or merely a simple desire to settle in another country of their choice. Nonetheless, even at such a high rate, the global levels of immigration continue to remain high (Allhutt, 2006). As a result of high levels of immigration the growing cultural and ethnic diversity in different societies is creating different challenges for their public services machinery such as healthcare, transport, public education ...