THE PARTICIPATION OF IMMIGRANT ASSOCIATIONS IN MULTICULTURAL SCHOOL IN SOUTHERN SPAIN: SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR COOPERATION

Abstract

Educators globally are struggling with how to serve newly arrived immigrant students. This article presents results of a qualitative study in the south of Spain, investigating contributions immigrant associations can make to multicultural schools. We conducted 55 interviews and one focus group with immigrant associations, and 32 interviews with teachers and school directors. We found the teaching staff and immigrant associations willing and interested in cooperating to improving integration of immigrant children and youth. In particular, both groups saw immigrant associations as potential mediators. Afterward, two participating schools began to take significant steps toward collaborating with nearby immigrant associations.

Keywords

• inmigración
• asociaciones de inmigrantes
• educación intercultural
• empoderamiento
• integración