Building Bridges: Education Challenges for Newcomers in Vancouver

For thousands of newcomer families in Vancouver, the journey toward belonging begins in the classroom. Education is more than academics—it is a civic pathway to integration, participation, and opportunity. Yet for many Iranian and Afghan immigrants, navigating British Columbia’s education system presents unique challenges that demand both community and institutional support.

Cultural Gaps in the Classroom

When young children arrive in Vancouver schools, even simple cultural differences can create barriers. “Something as small as a hand gesture can mean different things in Canada and Iran,” explains Soheila Ansari, who has worked for 18 years as a settlement worker at the Vancouver School Board. “Families need guidance to understand how schools operate, and teachers need cultural awareness to support these children.”

Ansari emphasizes that Iranian parents, in particular, bring high educational aspirations for their children. But this determination often collides with an unfamiliar system—one that values collaboration, critical thinking, and descriptive report cards over the exam-heavy, grade-driven model many parents know.

The Language Barrier and Beyond

Language remains the most visible obstacle. Soroush Azani, founder of Vancouver’s ILIA English Academy, has spent three decades teaching English, including 11 years in Vancouver. He notes that speaking conversational English is not enough:

“Fluency must go hand in hand with academic readiness. Students need to learn how to study, how to think critically, and how to adapt to the culture of Canadian schools. Without those skills, even strong English speakers can fall behind.”

ILIA English Academy has helped hundreds of students, from newcomers to professionals, overcome these gaps and find success in education and beyond.

The Role of Parents in Civic Life

Both Ansari and Azani agree that parental engagement is a cornerstone of student success. In Vancouver’s civic culture, schools expect parents to be active partners—attending meetings, volunteering, and building relationships with teachers.

“When parents don’t show up, the system assumes disinterest,” Ansari says. “But in reality, many parents simply don’t know the expectation. We need to bridge that cultural divide.”

Equity in Access

A pressing civic issue remains the inequity in adult education. Government-funded language programs often exclude temporary residents, such as families on work permits, leaving them with fewer opportunities for integration. This gap affects not just individual families but the broader community, as barriers to education hinder civic participation.

Toward a More Inclusive Vancouver

The stories shared by Ansari and Azani underline a larger truth: education is not just personal—it is civic. By addressing cultural misunderstandings, strengthening parental involvement, and expanding access to language education, Vancouver can continue to build a more inclusive, cohesive society.

As Vancouver celebrates its diversity, the voices of its Iranian and Afghan newcomers remind us that integration is a two-way street. Schools, families, and community organizations all have a civic role to play in ensuring that education becomes a true gateway to belonging.