- Most refugees have faced some common challenges as they adapt to Minnesota life, such as learning English, finding jobs and surviving harsh winters.
- Adapting can be even harder for them because so many are recovering from traumatic experiences such as losing their homes and loved ones to war, being separated from family members, or witnessing and experiencing violent acts.
- Limited Formal Education, due to poverty and war, and lack of educational opportunities in refugee camps means that Somali students enter schools in the US with little or no formal schooling.
- Many children and adults may not have had an opportunity to learn basic skills in their own language which can significantly affect their learning in English.
- Some Somali students have never had a chance to write in their own Somali script before arriving to the US
- Many Somali children have little knowledge of English
Brain Development and Reading:
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Ideas for Reaching Somali Students
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