Teaching about refugees
Teaching about refugees
With more people fleeing their homes than ever before, teachers are also facing a new challenge. Explaining the situation of refugees and migrants to primary and secondary school pupils has become part of many teachers' daily work. However, issues related to refugees and migration are not easy to discuss in the classroom.
To help with this challenge, the UNHCR has developed teaching materials on refugees.
On this page you will find educational material for primary and secondary schools. The material includes videos, exercises, activities and background material. The material is free of charge and freely available for use in education and other settings.
Before you begin
Before you start teaching about refugees, asylum and migration and when working with refugee children, familiarize yourself with basic concepts and facts and figures on the topic. We recommend that you first read the Teaching About Refugees Guidebook for Teachers.
Words matter
Understanding the terms refugees, migration, and asylum begins with understanding a few basics. The word refugee is often used as a blanket term for people displaced by war, violence or persecution. However, there are different categories of displaced people, each with specific needs. Knowing what these categories mean exactly is important and will contribute to a better understanding of this complex topic. It will also help you better understand the situation of refugees, asylum-seekers or others you may be teaching. The animations explain the main concepts related to refugees and migration and discuss the basic issues of refugees. Each animation is accompanied by background material for the teacher. The animations are suitable for use as teaching material for young people over 12 years of age, as well as for adults.
Watch these explainer animations yourself as a preparation for your lesson or lecture.
Download the Words Matter summary table for easy reference when you are teaching or putting a lesson plan together.
Asylum-seekers
Asylum-seekers are people seeking international protection from conflict and persecution.
Internally displaced people
Internally displaced people are seeking safety in other parts of their country.
Refugee rights
Where do refugees come from?
Who helps refugees?
Where do refugees go?
Most refugees are in developing countries. They tend to stay in neighbouring countries.
Teaching materials
This page contains a collection of UNHCR teaching materials on refugees, asylum and migration for primary and secondary education, as well as some guidance for teachers working with refugee children in the classroom.
Click on an age group to find lesson planning ideas, activity guides, videos and other materials.
Other materials
Understanding language acquisition
Language learning is a long process. It can take many years for newcomers in a host community to learn the local language up to a level where they can easily learn other subjects in school. This guidebook explains some of the basic things teachers can expect when working with displaced children who are learning the host community language.
Guidance for teachers on stress and trauma
Children who suffer from stress or trauma may need professional help from qualified personnel. Teachers can help detect potential signs so children can be directed to adequate support structures. They should, however, never intervene when only qualified therapists should.
This guidebook describes some of the common behaviours stressed or traumatized children may display and offers some ideas for activities that may help relieve stress or trauma in the classroom.
Download UNHCR's Guidance for teachers on stress and trauma.