Cultural Comparisons Of Mexican And Caribbean Islander...

Cultural Comparisons of Mexican and Caribbean Islander Immigrants Renae E. Sevigny Western Governor’s University Introduction The culture of a classroom is a direct reflection of the people who comprise it. All people carry their customs, traditions, and beliefs with them everywhere they go. It is important for teachers to understand the similarities and differences of the students they teach. Mexican and Islander students make up a large majority of students in Federal Way. Teachers must take into account the whole student and the home culture. More specifically, teachers must examine the roles that language acquisition, attitudes towards time, and family relationships play in a students’ ability to succeed. A closer look at these important components of culture can help teachers and students to avoid the misunderstanding and confusion that can take place in a multicultural classroom. The importance of Language Acquisition in Mexican Immigrant Students An impressive 16.2% of students in the Federal Way public school system self-identify as Hispanic (U.S. Census, 2013) [primary]. Of these students, 23.9% are foreign born (U.S. Census, 2013) [primary]. These students are often multilingual, switching to Spanish when home. In fact, 32.4 percent of students speak a different language at home (U.S. Census, 2013) [primary]. It should not come as a surprise that language is a major component of one’s culture. Most American schools place a heavy emphasis onShow MoreRelatedOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesresulted from the wars, revolutions, and natural and man-made disasters of the twentieth century. Howard Spodek’s essay charts the development of the urban areas that have been the destination for the great majority of both international and domestic immigrants in the modern era, and that in 2005 became the place of residence for the majority of the world’s human population for the first time in history. He gives considerable attention to changes in city planning, patterns of urban growth, and important