Integration protocol to promote intercultural atmosphere in an EFL classroom at a primary level grade

Abstract

The present work intended to represent one aspect of the phenomenon of integration of immigrant students in a state school in Santiago, Chile. Knowing that the process of immigration is complex and, in many cases, difficult, this work aimed at providing a useful integration protocol for young primary students of fifth grade in the state school Mercedes Marín del Solar located in the borough of Providencia, Santiago. For many people coming from different countries to study in Chile, entering a primary school may prove very difficult. The analysis that this group made of the fifth graders, their parents or tutors, and their English teacher was supposed to give an idea about the problems that the new immigrant students may face at the beginning of their integration process in the school.The intention of the study was to create a protocol that might be helpful to facilitate the integration of the new students and promote an intercultural EFL classroom. Surprisingly enough, this research showed that the problem of integration was much less dramatic than expected, as it could be observed that the students were easily integrated in both educational and social activities. Despite all mentioned above fact mentioned in the previous lines, this research offers a planned protocol (see Appendix III) that may be used in any school in case that the integration process of immigrant students inside the EFL class becomes complicated. Key words: integration, immigration, intercultural, protocol, EFL class.