Language, culture, and education: Exploring Middle Eastern Refugee Mothers’ perspectives on navigating Australian schools

Mothers are the cornerstone of family and have vital role in shaping societies. Many would argue that this is also the responsibility of education. Combining these major influences harmoniously, whilst considered critical, may also be difficult. Forced migration has made a considerable impact on Australian schooling. For many refugee mothers it has redefined their essential roles, rendering them amongst the vulnerable groups in host countries. More than half of the refugee populations around the world are women and children, yet little is known about many of their experiences and challenges after resettlement. This paper reports on a qualitative study that explored the seldom heard voices of Middle Eastern Refugee Mothers in regional Australia and their experiences relating to English language acquisition. To understand the ways in which these experiences impacted on these mothers’ understanding of the Australian culture and their interactions with their children’s schools, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 mothers. The findings highlighted the language barrier as a major challenge for the participants. It was particularly confronting for those who have limited formal education and were illiterate in their first language. Language difficulties influenced their engagement in children’s schooling, their understanding of Australian cultural mores and their everyday lives. The implications of the research outcomes emphasised the multiple degrees of differences between the home and host culture. This further isolated them in regional Australia and hindered their opportunities for educational opportunities and authentic integration. This paper recommends pathways for a more socially and culturally inclusive education system and society that may support the unique needs of Middle Eastern Refugee Mothers and similar populations from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background in Australia.



Keywords: Cultural differences, education, language acquisition, Middle Eastern Refugee Mothers, regional Australia.