Strategies for teaching Arab Americans
To provide an optimal learning environment for Arab American students,
take into consideration the following:
- Many schools have not successfully integrated Arab culture or history into the curriculum. Many have not also counteracted Arab stereotyping. Schools need to represent the Middle East, Arabs and Muslims accurately, completely and fairly within the curriculum and activities. Respect should also be displayed to the native culture and religion of Arab students.
- Instructors need to understand the effects of culture shock that may lead students to feeling insecure and lonely.
- Students may also perceive prejudice and ridicule of their rituals which may lead to negative expression of their feelings as a defense.
- Arab American students are sensitive to public criticism. Therefore, instructors should address students in a way that minimizes loss of face.
- Students can develop a positive identity if families are taught how to cope with acculturation, language differences and how to keep their heritage.
- Females that are Muslim have challenges in the American school system. Muslim females may wear clothing that covers their entire bodies except for faces and hands. This can create a stereotypical image of oppression.
- Conservative Muslim families may not allow children to participate in extracurricular activities or contact between females with males, including in-class group projects.
