10 Important Facts

Asian American/ Indian

1. When a student experiences failure, they feel they have brought shame to their family.
2. Asian American parents do not expect to be involved in the classroom.
3. They will more likely listen, rather than participate.
4. Time and schedules are not stressed.
5. Will smile if embarrassed or confused.
6. Will refrain from making eye contact.
7. Anyone in power will not be addressed by name, only by sir or ma'am.
8. Conform to the ideals of authority figures.
9. Are very polite and might have submissive behavior.
10. Age is relative. 

Muslims, Followers of Islam, & Speakers of Arabic

1. Respect for the teacher is just as important for respect for parents.
2. Children are engaged in rote learning and imitation of the teacher.
3. Certain letter sounds, such as /p/, do not exist in their language.
4. They are always polite.
5. Same sex relationships are very close, whereas opposite sex relationships are not permitted until young adulthood.
6. They do not like being asked about or talking about their family.
7. Elders are very important: parents must be obeyed.
8. They do not eat pork or pork derivatives.
9. They can't drink/eat while the sun is up during Ramadan.
10. They like to stand close to other people.

Haitians

1. Haitian education is poorly managed, overcrowded, and taught by many with little training.
2. Children are brought up with a love of music and dancing; the educational environment should incorporate some of these characteristics.
3. They use Voodoo and strongly believe it will heal the sick and will seek it for spiritual support.
4. Domestically, householders usually include family members, adopted children or young relatives, and elderly widows.
5. There are over 500,000 Haitian immigrants in the U.S. Almost half are situated in Florida.
6. Due to many illegal Haitian immigrants and poverty, many students have false birth certificates with inaccurate ages.
7. 20% of Haitian immigrants live in poverty.
8. American Haitian children are most immersed in the American culture and have a slight accent.
9. Haitians in transitions are Haitians who have just immigrated and face problems such as a lack of English, the degradation of Haitian educational institutions, emotional distance from family, and a general disconnect with their new environment.
10. Haitian Americans identify with Haitian culture first and are typically settled in mainly Haitian communities, such as Little Haiti.

Hispanics, Latinos, & Spanish Speakers

1. When greeting, they sometimes kiss the cheek or give a handshake
2. Family is very important
3. They are used to segregated gender classrooms
4. Students lower eyes while communicating with elders
5. Special Education and ESL programs are looked down upon
6. Not a lot of parental involvement in the classroom
7. They have authoritative school systems
8. Need explicit classroom rules
9. Baseball is very popular
10. 37 million people older than 5 speak Spanish at home

Native Americans & American Indians

1. Like to move around the classroom
2. May not understand cultures
3. Do not appreciate being called Indians
4. Should avoid talking about them as heroes only around Thanksgiving
5. Silence is a form of communication
6. Do not give quick responses
7. Work well independently
8. Less verbal than other countries
9. Children are raised by grandparents
10. Put an emphasis on childhood and imagination