Anglophone East School District and Gregg Ingersoll

Mike Timani: Province expecting influx of refugee children under the age of 12 "We find that many of the Syrians do not speak English or French so that going to be a challenge," Timini said in an interview on Information Morning Moncton on Tuesday, according to CBC. The superintendent for the Anglophone East School District sent a letter to parents this week, asking for anyone who can offer language support to come forward. "If you or anyone you know is able to speak and understand Arabic or would like to contribute to the successful integration of these new families, please contact us," reads the letter from Gregg Ingersoll. Mike Timani, president of the New Brunswick Multicultural Council, says language training and translation is the "key" to resettling families. So far, three settlement agencies say there are 153 federally-sponsored Syrian refugees in New Brunswick. We have iPads and iPhones and Google Translate works very well." Timani is encouraging anyone who speaks Arabic to come forward to help the settlement process for the refugees. "It makes a difference, because they make them feel comfortable once they hear the same language and letting them know that this is a place to live," he said. Moncton: 61 federally-sponsored refugees,11 families Fredericton: 53 federally-sponsored refugees, 10 families Saint John: 77 federally-sponsored refugees, 16 families Translation critical On Friday, eight Syrian students registered in the Moncton area and began a three- to four-week orientation process that involves some early language training. "It makes a difference, because they make them feel comfortable once they hear the same language and letting them know that this is a place to live."- Mike Timani, N.B. Multicultural Council Kathy Arsenault, an education support teacher, is leading the efforts of the district welcome centre, which is located at Edith Cavell School in Moncton. "The translation piece is quite a large piece of this," she said. "When the students come in and register we have a translator with us from Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area . Anytime there any difficulty, we have access to a translator. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.