Imagine this: You’ve just moved to a new country where you don’t speak the language. On your child’s first day of school, you walk through unfamiliar hallways with signs you can’t read, drop them off with strangers, and leave them there for hours, hoping they’ll be okay. For many immigrant parents, this is their reality—and it's terrifying.
Yet, despite these challenges, schools often unintentionally exclude parents from the learning process in thier English language programs. Language barriers, cultural differences, and fear of judgment make many parents hesitant to reach out. The truth is, parents want to be involved—they just don’t always know how, or feel comfortable enough to do so. It’s our responsibility as educators to extend that hand first.
In my teaching career, and in discussion with teachers across the country, I’ve seen how intentional parent involvement can transform student success. Here are five practical ways to foster meaningful connections with parents, complete with resources and stories from my own experiences.
1. Host Weekly English Classes for Parents
Many immigrant parents face a significant language barrier that makes it difficult to communicate with teachers or support their children academically. Offering weekly English classes isn’t just a practical solution—it’s a statement that you value their involvement.
Why this works:
Parents gain confidence to navigate school systems and advocate for their children.
Children feel proud seeing their parents engaged in school.
Parents’ language improvement can positively influence home literacy environments.
Bonus Effect:When parents attend these classes after school, many students stay behind for tutoring. This creates a unique opportunity to support both parents and children simultaneously.
Personal Story:At one school, we offered English classes for parents every Wednesday. Initially, only a few brave parents attended. But word spread. Soon, we had parents bringing friends and neighbors. One mother shared, “Before, I was too embarrassed to talk to my daughter’s teacher. Now I can ask questions and understand her homework.” These classes didn’t just teach English—they built trust and opened doors.
2. Invite Parents to Volunteer in Class
Many parents feel disconnected from what happens during the school day. It is also the case that many work the evening shift. So, inviting them into your classroom is a powerful way to foster transparency, trust, and community. Plus, it gives them the opportunity to see their studnets at times when they otherwise would not.
Why this works:
Parents gain firsthand insight into classroom routines and expectations.
Students feel a stronger connection to their learning when their families are involved.
Parents become ambassadors in their communities, encouraging others to engage.
How to do it:Start with simple tasks: helping organize materials, assisting during group activities, or sharing cultural traditions.
Personal Story:I once was told about a mother who helped out with a multicultural celebration. Nervous at first, she soon became more and more familiar, until she was eventually leading a cooking demonstration and sharing stories from her home country. Her involvement didn’t just enrich the community and classroom—it boosted her child’s confidence and deepened our classroom’s cultural understanding.
3. Create a WhatsApp Parent Group (Led by a Trusted Parent Liaison)
Let’s face it—many parents never open school emails or communication apps like Remind or ClassDojo. It’s not that they don’t care; it’s that these platforms are often unfamiliar, complicated, or easily overlooked. WhatsApp, on the other hand, is a staple communication tool in many immigrant communities.
Why this works:WhatsApp is free, user-friendly, and already part of many families’ daily routines. By creating a parent group, you create a direct, informal communication line for quick updates, reminders, and community building.
How to do it:
Partner with a trusted parent to set up and moderate the group.
Establish ground rules to keep discussions positive and on-topic.
Share reminders, event updates, and resources through the chat.
Regularly give resources and ideas to your parent. Don't be sporadic about it.
Make your parent feel valued. Give them gifts, update them about what their student is doing in school, ask them about their life. They need to feel deeply appreciated.
4. Organize Family Nights with Shared Goals
Family nights are common, but they can be more than just casual gatherings. Use them as a platform to set meaningful, shared goals between teachers, students, and families.
Why this works:
Parents become active partners in their child’s learning journey.
Shared goals create a sense of accountability for both students and parents.
Regular follow-ups reinforce progress and sustain engagement.
Example Goal:Encourage families to have students read at home for 20 minutes, three to four nights a week. This simple habit can lead to significant language gains over time.
Bonus pointer: To keep momentum, you can schedule 10-minute Zoom check-ins with parents every two weeks. Not only will this improve reading habits, but parents will also felt a stronger connection to the school.
5. Prioritize Value and Security in Every Interaction of your English Language Program
More than anything, parents need to feel that you see them—not just as “parents of students,” but as people with valuable insights and experiences. Be intentional. Create an environment where they feel safe, respected, and valued.
How to do it:
Listen more than you speak.
Follow up on their concerns.
Celebrate their child’s successes, no matter how small.
Personal Story: I once called a parent—not to discuss a problem—but just to share how well their child was doing in class. The mother became emotional and said, “This is the first time anyone from school called me with good news.” That small gesture strengthened our relationship and opened the door for future communication.
6. Involve Parents in Encouraging Their Students to Read
Reading regularly at home is one of the most effective ways for English learners to improve their language skills—but many parents don’t realize how impactful their encouragement can be, even if they don’t speak English themselves. Parents play a crucial role in fostering a culture of reading at home by simply showing interest, setting aside quiet time, or even reading together in their home language.
Why this works:
Students are more likely to develop consistent reading habits with parental support.
Parents can model positive attitudes toward learning, regardless of their English proficiency.
Shared reading moments strengthen family bonds and promote language development.
How to do it:
During family nights, provide parents with simple strategies to encourage reading at home. If you are using AIR Language, tour the platform in front of them, and be sure to emphasize its ease of use.
Create reading logs that parents can sign or initial, even if they don’t understand the book’s content.
Suggest that parents ask their children about the stories or have their children "teach" them what they read.
Open a separate account for parents to use.
Personal Story:I remember working with a father who initially felt he couldn’t support his child’s reading because he didn’t speak English. We talked about how just sitting next to his child during reading time, asking questions like, “What’s happening in the story?” or “What should I learn from this book?” would make a difference. Within weeks, his child’s reading fluency improved, and the father told me, “Now we read together every night. It’s our time.” Another win was, he was learning English as well. That simple shift in mindset helped build a powerful reading habit, which grew language proficiency and eventually sparked work promotions and a more stable family life.
Final Thoughts
Being an effective educator means more than just connecting with students—it means reaching out to their families and inviting them into the process. When parents feel welcomed, valued, and included, they engage more deeply—and that engagement translates into stronger academic outcomes and healthier school communities.
You have the power to be that connector. Offer value. Provide security. Build trust. When you do, you’ll not only change students’ lives—you’ll uplift entire families.
What strategies have worked for you? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your stories and ideas!