Beyond Deficit Paradigms: Exploring Informal Learning of Immigrant Parents

Authors

  • Yan Guo University of Calgary

Keywords:

informal learning, immigrant parents

Abstract

This study explores how immigrant parents construct and mobilize their knowledge through informal learning to support their children’s education. The study reveals that many participating immigrant parents learned the meaning of parental involvement primarily through trial and error. They learned Canadian curricula by using the Internet, passed on their first-language knowledge, instilled the best values of both Canadian and country-of-origin cultures, and learned how to advocate on behalf of their children, who were often marginalized at school. The results of this study illustrate the significance of informal learning about parental involvement by immigrant parents and the need for teachers and school administrators to recognize and make use of parent knowledge.

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Published

2012-11-30

How to Cite

Guo, Y. (2012). Beyond Deficit Paradigms: Exploring Informal Learning of Immigrant Parents. Canadian Journal for the Study of Adult Education, 24(1), 41–59. Retrieved from https://cjsae.library.dal.ca/cjsae/article/view/124