This chapter explores the dynamics of parental involvement in immigrant learners' education with specific focus on areas of involvement, possible challenges, and strategic ways of mitigation against such challenges. Parental support may take a variety of ways including learning activities at home, family involvement at school, school outreach programs that engage families such as volunteerism and supportive parenting activities. In this endeavor, challenges such as language barrier, culture conflicts, teachers' perceptions of parents and learners, literacy levels of the immigrant parents, curriculum diversities, as well as unavailability of resources are likely to arise. Mitigating strategies explored in this chapter include forums for educators and immigrant parents, training for parents on effective communication and school policies, as well as regular evaluation of parental support programs. This information is critical for educators and policy makers since it illuminates factors affecting the partnerships between schools and home environments for immigrant learners.

This chapter explores the dynamics of parental involvement in immigrant learners' education with specific focus on areas of involvement, possible challenges, and strategic ways of mitigation against such challenges. Parental support may take a variety of ways including learning activities at home, family involvement at school, school outreach programs that engage families such as volunteerism and supportive parenting activities. In this endeavor, challenges such as language barrier, culture conflicts, teachers' perceptions of parents and learners, literacy levels of the immigrant parents, curriculum diversities, as well as unavailability of resources are likely to arise. Mitigating strategies explored in this chapter include forums for educators and immigrant parents, training for parents on effective communication and school policies, as well as regular evaluation of parental support programs. This information is critical for educators and policy makers since it illuminates factors affecting the partnerships between schools and home environments for immigrant learners.

The concepts discussed in this chapter were conceptualized out of the experiences of lecturers and researchers who have from time to time found themselves in situations where their learners require extra support for them to navigate through the academic rigor expected of them. Linguistic competence of the language of instruction has been proven to contribute significantly to a learner's success since through this medium, knowledge is acquired and disseminated. Language can thus be a facilitator or impediment of knowledge acquisition. Thus, institutions of higher learning must strive to put in place strategic mechanisms to support learners especially in a time when higher education is experiencing greater internationalization with diverse learners. The chapter discusses strategies that would support such learners, with a view of encouraging the players in higher education to explore opportunities for such support which may be available both inside and outside the classroom.