According to the demands of modern life, education is considered to be the inherent component of success. In order to become a well-rounded personality ready to face different challenges, one is expected to study. However, obtaining education is a difficult process that consists in both triumphs and failures and depends on extrinsic factors, which are usually not controlled by students. Among many other impacts that may be encountered in the course of learning, attention should be drawn to such factors as society, race, and home life, together with parenting.
Firstly, learning process can be discussed from the viewpoint of the phenomenon of international migration, which is peculiar to the realities of modern globalized world. The main problem which is encountered by immigrant children after moving to a strange country is the one of adaptation. In general, children are considered to be not so vulnerable to changes as adults: their mentality is not fully formed, and they do not have any deep-ingrained views, which give them the advantage of less painful adjustment to new social environment. However, the fact remains that children are placed in unfamiliar surroundings, and it can be predicted that there will be some problems. To begin with, they will face language barrier, which may become the reason for incomprehension. Since learning process in each particular country is performed in the language which is dominant in that country, it will take children more effort and time to deal with study materials, as it was demonstrated in “En education” (Harris, S., & Dressner, J., September 15, 2011). To continue, there may be difficulties in adapting to social behavior which is traditionally accepted in a new country: for example, in relationship between a student and a teacher, subordination may be more clearly expressed, which might be perceived as unusual by immigrant students and make them feel uncomfortable (Harris, S., & Dressner, J., September 15, 2011). And finally, the very system of education, namely subjects, approaches, teaching methods etc, may appear different from the one existing at home country. Naturally, such circumstances prove obstacles to learning process. That is why, in order to enhance their learning, children need to adapt themselves. The survival mechanisms which they can use are as follows: patience, hard work, and ignoring the fear, as it is impossible to completely forget about the situation. And what is important, it is necessary for them to conform to the norms of social behavior, even if they are not understandable. In addition to that, the role of a teacher in the process of adaptation also should not be diminished. Judging by the example of a teacher depicted in “A military education” (Harris, R., June 19, 2011), it is obvious that their loyalty, support, and devotion to immigrant students are essential for the latter to become successful in learning and personal development.
Secondly, another thing that may be considered as influential in terms of education process is the problem of racial bias. Unfortunately, even nowadays cultural prejudices and stereotypes still exist. Representatives of other races are erroneously judged by their origins and appearance, and not by their intellectual potential, which is usually underestimated. What is appalling is that children are not an exception - they suffer humiliation and peer harassment at school, and the cases when they are unfairly accused of things they have not committed are not rare, as it was depicted in “Education in quality” (Brewster, J., & Stephenson, M., September 23, 2013). Since children’s psyche is not developed and thus unstable, biased attitude may have a very negative impact on their mental health. It may lead to constant fear and considerable emotional stress, and provoke a lack of confidence, which may result in a loss of students’ motivation and decrease in productivity of their work. However, such negative outcome may be prevented. If children are informed beforehand of all possible challenges which they might face in society on the basis of racial discrimination, it will protect them from excessive stress (Brewster, J., & Stephenson, M., September 23, 2013). As a rule, parents of racially biased children have had the same painful experience of struggling for their place in the sun; therefore, they need to share this experience with their children. And the first principle to teach, the one which should become a guiding star during their life-long journey, is the principle formulated by E. Roosevelt, who said, “No one can make you will inferior without your consent”. It is a psychological fact that the attitude of those who surround a person is defined by the attitude of this person towards his/herself. There should be some inner confidence that helps to continue working, regardless of any unfavourable circumstances. Children must realize that although they are representatives of another race, they are, first of all, human-beings who have the same rights as anyone else in their social environment. They should not feel alienated.
Finally, other crucial factors that influence learning process are parenting and home life. There can be traced a direct connection between family’s support and students’ success. Parents’ faith and positive expectations may contribute to the improvement of studying results of their children: they often depend on the opinion of those whom they consider to be authorities, and in many cases, such authorities are family members. If children are constantly encouraged to learn, if they understand how many doors education opens, it will motivate them to produce good academic results. Parents should be active participants in their children’s learning. Indifference is unacceptable. Moreover, referring to “Education in quality” (Brewster, J., & Stephenson, M., September 23, 2013), good parents should forget about their ego and make self-sacrifices in order to provide their children with the opportunities they need to make themselves a happy future. In any case, the support and love of parents is priceless.
References
Brewster, J., & Stephenson, M. (2013, September 23). An education in equality. The New
York Times. Retrieved February 22, 2014, from http://www.nytimes.com/video/opinion/100000002460625/an-education-in-equality.html
Harris, R. (2011, June 19). A military education. The New York Times. Retrieved February
22, 2014, from http://www.nytimes.com/video/education/100000000870304/a-military-education.html
Harris, S., & Dressner, J. (2011, September 15). An education. The New York Times.
Retrieved February 22, 2014, from http://www.nytimes.com/video/magazine/100000001040165/an-education.html
