The Attitude of Faculty to Russian Immigrant Absorption in Israeli Colleges for the Training of Technicians and Practical Engineers

Abstract

Summary This article presents findings of a survey aimed at assessing the attitudes of faculty towards the absorption of immigrant students from the former Soviet Union. Data were collected from 33 lecturers in four colleges for the training of technicians and practical engineers in Israel. Responses range along a continuum between the view condoning assimilation (model 1) and the view advocating a gradual process of integration (model 2). These are pre‐existing models of sociological attitude towards immigrant absorption distinguished by Eisikovitz and Beck (1991, Studies in Education, 55/56, pp. 33‐50). According to model 1, all students should be granted equal attention and immigrant students should not be given special treatment. Model 2 recognizes the special status of the immigrant student and the intrinsic problems that accompany this status and, accordingly, the need to find appropriate solutions. Although there is general agreement regarding the main difficulties faced by the immigrants (namely, language problems, financial problems and cultural adjustment), most of the respondents seem to be closer to the perception expressed by model 1 and recommend that the academic requirements, teaching methods, timetable and curriculum be the same for the immigrants as for the veteran Israeli students. Nevertheless, attitudes conforming to model 2 were also expressed as revealed in the recommendation that immigrant students be offered special assistance in preparatory frameworks which should include courses to help acquaint them with the realities of Israeli society, and that they be provided with maintenance grants, textbooks, tutoring, etc. In general, different elements are adopted from each model in accordance with the special needs and circumstances of the immigrant population enrolled in the college.