Bridging Spanish language barriers in Southern schools

By Mary Faith Mount-Cors, Regina Cortina, Buck Cooper, Magda Corredor, Kristin De Soto Madson, Paul Fitchett, Dayna Durbin Gleaves, Janet Kier Lopez, and Jennifer Whytock

From the school years 2000–2001 to 2004–2005, Latino students accounted for 57.3 percent of the total growth in the North Carolina public schools. Language barriers make communication and education difficult, and Latino students and their parents have different expectations of schools than others in U.S. schools. By understanding the cultural background and expectations of their Latino students, teachers can better connect with them and help them learn.

These articles provide background on Latino immigrants in North Carolina, administrative challenges in binational education, and strategies through which teachers can build on what Latino students bring to their classrooms to create a learning environment that meets the needs of all students.

• See the table of contents or begin reading: Background on Latino students