Working with refugee and migrant learners makes you a better teacher
- Stephanie Lam
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Teaching ERM (English for Refugees and Migrants) is challenging.
You're often working with limited materials, in unpredictable environments, with learners who bring hugely varied backgrounds in education, culture, and life experience. Some have experienced trauma. Some have never been in a classroom before. Some have university degrees.
It's a lot to manage.
But because of this, teaching ERM makes you a better teacher.
When you can't rely on a coursebook to carry the lesson, you have to think on your feet. You become more creative, more resourceful, and more focused on what actually works, rather than what the syllabus says should work.
You have to learn to read the room in an ERM classroom. You notice when a learner is struggling, when an activity isn't going well, when someone needs time out. In honing those skills, you become more attuned and responsive, and a better observer of the people in front of you.
Teaching ERM also pushes you to put the learner first. Because when your students are navigating a new country, a new language, and often enormous personal challenges, you have to create lessons that meet them where they are.
Within those limitations, you can't help but grow. Teaching refugee and migrant learners transforms your practice. Ask any ESOL teacher in the UK, or any teacher of refugees and migrants anywhere in the world.
If you're ready to develop the skills to do it well, we'd love to have you on our course.
We'll help you teach English to refugees and migrants
Join our new online course, starting this April. Run by an expert tutor, with a ton of engaging, interactive tools and lots of opportunity to engage with fellow practitioners, exchange ideas and build community.
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