HASS · Year 6 · Migration Stories · Term 3

Refugee and Asylum Seeker Experiences

Understand the reasons why people seek asylum, the challenges they face, and their contributions to Australian society.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9HASS6K03

About This Topic

Refugee and asylum seeker experiences introduce students to the reasons people flee persecution, war, or human rights abuses, the legal processes for seeking protection in Australia, and the positive impacts these groups bring to communities. Students first clarify terms: migrants move voluntarily for work or family, refugees gain official status after proving need, and asylum seekers apply while in Australia or at borders. They then explore push factors like conflict in Syria or Afghanistan and pull factors such as Australia's humanitarian program.

This topic fits AC9HASS6K03 by building knowledge of diverse cultures and Australia's civic role in global issues. Students analyze challenges including detention, language barriers, and discrimination through Refugee Council resources, while evaluating contributions like Hieu Van Le's governorship in South Australia or business innovations by Sudanese refugees.

Active learning excels here because it builds empathy through personal stories and simulations. When students map journeys, role-play interviews, or create tribute projects, they connect facts to emotions, deepen understanding of perspectives, and develop advocacy skills in a safe classroom space.

Key Questions

1. Differentiate between the terms 'migrant', 'refugee', and 'asylum seeker'.
2. Analyze the complex challenges faced by refugees when seeking safety and resettlement in Australia.
3. Evaluate the significant contributions refugees have made to Australian culture and economy.

Learning Objectives

• Compare the push and pull factors that lead individuals to seek asylum in Australia versus migrating voluntarily.
• Analyze the legal and social challenges faced by asylum seekers and refugees during their journey and resettlement in Australia.
• Evaluate the diverse contributions of refugees and asylum seekers to Australian society, including cultural enrichment and economic impact.
• Classify the differences between the terms 'migrant', 'refugee', and 'asylum seeker' based on legal definitions and circumstances.

Before You Start

Understanding Different Cultures

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of cultural diversity to appreciate the experiences and contributions of people from different backgrounds.

Causes of Conflict and Cooperation

Why: Understanding why conflicts arise in countries helps students grasp the 'push factors' that lead to people seeking refuge.

Key Vocabulary

Asylum Seeker	A person who has left their country and is seeking protection from persecution in another country, but whose claim has not yet been finalized.
Refugee	A person who has been recognized as having a well-founded fear of persecution and is granted protection in another country under international law.
Push Factors	Reasons that compel people to leave their home country, such as war, persecution, or natural disasters.
Pull Factors	Reasons that attract people to a new country, such as economic opportunities, safety, or family reunification.
Resettlement	The process of establishing refugees in a new country, which can include housing, education, and employment support.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Refugees and asylum seekers are the same as economic migrants looking for jobs.

What to Teach Instead

Refugees flee targeted harm, unlike voluntary migrants; asylum seekers await refugee status. Card-sorting activities in pairs help students categorize real examples, building precise vocabulary through hands-on comparison and group justification.

Common Misconception

Asylum seekers entering by boat are illegal and should be turned away.

What to Teach Instead

Australia upholds rights under international law for protection claims. Role-play asylum interviews lets students experience legal processes, shifting views via empathy and structured evidence sharing.

Common Misconception

Refugees burden Australia without giving back.

What to Teach Instead

Many refugees start businesses and enrich culture, like in sports or arts. Profile projects reveal data on employment and innovations, with gallery walks promoting peer-led corrections through visual evidence.

Active Learning Ideas

Term Sort: Migration Categories

Provide cards with definitions, examples, and scenarios. In pairs, students sort into migrant, refugee, and asylum seeker piles, then justify choices on a class chart. Discuss edge cases to refine understanding.

25 min·Pairs

Journey Mapping: Path to Safety

Groups trace a refugee's route on world maps using string and pins, noting dangers at each stage from online stories. Add Australian settlement steps and share maps in a gallery walk.

45 min·Small Groups

Contribution Profiles: Refugee Spotlights

Individuals research one Australian refugee's story, create a poster with challenges overcome and impacts made, then present in a class 'hall of fame'. Vote on most inspiring elements.

35 min·Individual

Policy Debate: Welcome Challenges

Divide class into teams to debate support improvements like faster processing or community sponsorships, using evidence cards. Conclude with agreed class recommendations.

40 min·Whole Class

Real-World Connections

• The Refugee Council of Australia provides resources and advocacy for asylum seekers and refugees, working with government agencies and community groups to facilitate integration.
• Many Australian businesses, such as 'The Welcome Table' initiative, actively employ refugees, recognizing their skills and dedication, contributing to sectors like hospitality and manufacturing.
• Individuals like Hieu Van Le, a former Governor of South Australia, arrived as a refugee and went on to hold a significant public office, demonstrating leadership and civic contribution.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

On a card, students write one sentence defining 'refugee' and one sentence defining 'asylum seeker'. They then list one push factor and one pull factor relevant to their journeys.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'What are two significant challenges a refugee might face when arriving in Australia, and how could these be addressed by the community?' Facilitate a class discussion, encouraging students to draw on case studies.

Quick Check

Present students with three short scenarios. Ask them to identify whether each person is a migrant, refugee, or asylum seeker, and to briefly explain their reasoning based on the definitions learned.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between refugee, asylum seeker, and migrant in Year 6 HASS?

Migrants choose to relocate for opportunities like study or family. Refugees receive official status after proving persecution fears, often from overseas. Asylum seekers claim protection upon arrival and await assessment. Use sorting activities with Australian examples from UNHCR to clarify, helping students grasp legal distinctions and empathize with involuntary journeys.

What challenges do refugees face when resettling in Australia?

Challenges include trauma recovery, English learning, employment gaps, housing shortages, and social isolation. Detention experiences add mental health strains. Lessons with timelines and guest stories highlight support like AMES programs, encouraging students to propose community aids while respecting privacy.

How have refugees contributed to Australian society?

Refugees boost the economy through entrepreneurship, like Vietnamese shops or African tech startups, and culture via festivals and sports stars such as Yassmin Abdel-Magied. Politically, figures like Andrew Giles show leadership. Student profiles connect these to local communities, fostering pride in multiculturalism.

How can active learning help teach refugee experiences in Year 6?

Active methods like journey mapping and role-plays make distant struggles relatable, turning facts into emotional insights. Small group debates on policies build critical thinking, while tributes honor contributions. These approaches reduce stereotypes through collaboration, boost retention via hands-on work, and cultivate compassion aligned with AC9HASS6K03.