Communication Tools for Reducing Language Barriers Between Primary School Teachers and Immigrant Parents: A Case Study in Turkiye from Teachers’ Perspectives

Abstract

Previous studies found that Syrian immigrant parents and Turkish primary school teachers struggle to maintain effective communication due to language barriers. This situation has negatively affected Syrian students and the cohesion within the local community. This paper discusses primary school teachers' viewpoints and examines existing solutions that might help reduce these barriers. Interviews and card-sorting activities designed based on Human-Centred Design principles were carried out with nine Turkish primary school teachers. The results suggested the current communication has been one-way (from teachers to parents). There is a need to make it two ways and help both parties develop better understanding of each other. Hence, the researcher would like proposes that school management team should bring parents to school more often through appropriate social events. Besides this, parent-teacher communication needs to be supported by an interpreter and WhatsApp. Further investigation will be carried out with parents to gain their points of view.