Migrants and Refugees in Education: A toolkit for teachers from FutureLearn

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more The course will be useful for anyone working with migrants and refugees in an educational context. You can use the hashtag #FLMRE to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

Global trends in migration and displacement as a result of different types of conflicts
The role and impact of language use as well as language development in migration and displacement
The range of educational pathways and curricula for students from formal to informal to remedial and the role of the community in supporting learning
The importance of challenging discrimination and promoting inclusive classrooms which foster collaborative learning
The learning and behaviour needs of primary and secondary learners who have experienced trauma, displacement and conflict
The effects of loss, trauma and displacement on the brain and how this knowledge can help teachers to understand learning difficulties and challenging behaviour
The importance of teacher self-care and the role of well-being in coping with the impact of trauma on teachers and learners

Reviews summary

Essential toolkit for migrant education

According to learners, this course is an essential toolkit for anyone working with vulnerable populations. Students find it provides practical strategies and deep insights into the educational needs of migrants and refugees. Many highlight the comprehensive coverage of global trends, the impact of trauma on learning, and the importance of fostering inclusive classroom environments. The content on teacher self-care is also frequently lauded as highly valuable. While some suggest it serves as a strong foundation, the overall consensus is that it offers actionable tools for immediate application. It's considered highly relevant and timely for educators globally.

Provides a solid base, but may be introductory for experienced professionals.

"As an experienced educator, I found parts to be a good refresher, though some content was introductory for me."

"The course offers a great starting point for those new to the field of refugee education."

"For a foundational understanding, this course is excellent, but deeper dives into specific regional issues might require more."

Emphasizes the crucial role of teacher well-being.

"I really appreciated the module on teacher self-care; it's an often overlooked but vital aspect."

"It reminded me of the importance of my own well-being when working with vulnerable students and the impact of vicarious trauma."

"The course highlighted how crucial coping mechanisms are for educators in demanding environments."

Provides broad understanding of migration trends and educational pathways.

"I gained a much better understanding of global migration and displacement trends and their impact on education systems."

"The course effectively mapped out diverse educational pathways, from formal to informal, for students from various backgrounds."

"It provided a solid framework for approaching migrant and refugee education within the broader societal context."

Deepens understanding of trauma's effect on learning and behavior.

"The section on the effects of trauma on the brain was particularly illuminating and crucial for my work."

"I now better understand the learning difficulties and challenging behaviors associated with displacement and conflict."

"It helped me recognize and address the complex needs of primary and secondary learners who have experienced trauma."

Offers actionable strategies for supporting migrant learners.

"I found the practical strategies incredibly helpful for my daily teaching."

"This course gave me concrete tools I could immediately apply in my classroom."

"The ideas for creating inclusive environments were very insightful and practical."

Career center

Learners who complete Migrants and Refugees in Education: A toolkit for teachers will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers: