Newcomer program aims to make students comfortable

YorkRegion.com
Sept. 27, 2014
By Sandra Bolan

Sandra De Guzman would be well into her university studies, if she stayed in the Philippines.

But the 18-year-old came to Canada with her mother less than a month ago.

“For me, it’s good. For me, I must learn something more before going to university,” the soft spoken De Guzman said before spending the day in newcomer workshops at Richmond Hill’s Jean Vanier Catholic High School.

The orientation workshop started eight years ago because it became apparent newcomers to Canada and York Region - parents and students - needed a bit of assistance maneuvering the school system, according to Agnes Manasan, program co-ordinator of settlement and education partnership in York Region.

Seminars were offered in English, Chinese, Farsi and Korean.

About 450 students and parents took part.

Parents learn about school requirements and policies, such as the number of credits required to graduate, as well as how they can become more involved in their child’s school or education, according to Manasan.

For students, it’s an opportunity to meet other newcomer students, as well as learn school policies and what is expected of them in the classroom.

They also are being taught the art of playing rock, paper, scissors and participating in other light-hearted ice-breaker games as a way to get to know each other.

In Asia, for example, “students cannot talk back to the teacher. It’s a lot more memorization,” she said.

In other countries, Manasan said there is such a heavy focus on education, all they do is study, which is not the case in Canada.

The atmosphere, Manasan said, may be more relaxing here, but learning can be more challenging if there’s a language barrier.

Judy Yeonghyeon Ham, 15, first participated in the newcomer workshop a few years ago, after emigrating from South Korea with her family.

This year, like last year, Yeonghyeon, 15, is volunteering.

“I know the problems newcomer students have,” she said.

The workshop was presented by the Catholic Community Services of York Region and paid for by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.