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As families transition from their home countries to Massachusetts, we recognize the crucial need to support them in settling into their new communities.
Massachusetts is dedicated to embracing migrant families and ensuring their children are seamlessly integrated into the public school system. One of the primary challenges these families encounter is mastering the English language. Offering comprehensive English Language Learner (ELL) programs is vital for helping them adapt to their new surroundings and thrive academically and professionally.
Equally important is providing social-emotional support to help these families find stability and a sense of belonging in their new community. By harnessing the power of Extended Reality (XR), we aim to address these challenges, assisting students and parents in their journey towards successful integration and community involvement.
With the use of Virtual Reality, you can help equip newcomers in your community with tools to help settle into their new lives.
⇒ Cultural Orientation
⇒ English Language Practice
⇒ Emotional Support
XR Terra created a pilot program that consisted of 12 sessions with 10 newcomer families from Haiti. In that short time, participants:
✔ became comfortable using virtual reality,
✔ learned new vocabulary,
✔ began using English phrases outside sessions,
✔ became familiar with emotional resiliency tools,
✔ connected with members of their community,
✔ and reported a sense of accomplishment from the program.
In-Person Onboarding for Virtual Reality Tools
In-person onboarding to VR using Oculus First Steps and Foretell Reality’s immersive multiuser platform.
Social & Emotional Support with Group Therapy
With support from a licensed therapist, families learned how to identify and express their emotions and use various emotional resilience tools in their daily lives.
Getting to Know the Community with 360 Videos
Custom 360 videos were created along with images of important resources in the community including schools, libraries, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and town squares. Within each environment, community leaders greeted the newcomers and shared points interest for them to explore.
Learning English with a Live Teacher
Using whiteboards, activity sheets, and 3D drawing tools, newcomers were joined by a live teacher in virtual reality to practice English reading, comprehension, and speaking. The group participated in team exercises to practice their language skills in a social setting.
To learn more about using VR to support newcomer families in your community, contact:
617-600-8875