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How does migration affect communities?

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can explain how migration affects different communities both in the UK and in the countries people have emigrated from.

Key learning points

  1. Migration affects both the communities people leave and the communities they move to.
  2. Migrants may fill workforce gaps, start businesses and introduce new cultures, languages and ideas that enrich society.
  3. They may need extra support with housing, language or education, and some communities might experience tension.
  4. Migration may bring benefits like remittances or migrants may return with skills/experience that help communities grow.
  5. There are many challenges, including the loss of skilled workers and emotional strain from long-term family separation.

Keywords

  • Migration - the movement of people from one place to another, for example, moving from one country to another

  • Community - a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common

Common misconception

Migration always causes problems in communities.

Migration can bring challenges, but it also brings many benefits like new skills, jobs and cultures. Communities often grow stronger by learning from each other and working together to solve problems.

Teacher tip

Encourage pupils to explore both positive and negative effects of migration by using local case studies. This helps make the topic relatable and balanced, reducing stereotypes and promoting critical thinking. Videos, news articles or guest speakers can also bring the topic to life.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
People often decide to migrate from one place to another because of different push and pull...

Correct Answer: factors

Q2.
People may migrate to escape bombings or armed attacks as a result of ...

Correct Answer: war, conflict, wars, conflicts

Q3.
Rearrange these words to make a sentence explaining what immigration control is.

1 - Immigration
2 - control
3 - is
4 - how
5 - countries
6 - manage
7 - migrants.

Q4.
Which of these is an example of how migrants can enrich UK society?

cause housing shortages
lower school attendance
Correct answer: bring new foods, music and festivals
close local shops

Q5.
What type of impact is this sentence referring to? Children may feel loss when separated from their parents due to long-term migration.

Correct answer: emotional
financial
political

Q6.
Match the effect of immigration with the example.

Correct Answer:cultural and economic contribution,a new bakery opens, selling traditional Polish cakes

a new bakery opens, selling traditional Polish cakes

Correct Answer:demand on public services,the local council needs more interpreters

the local council needs more interpreters

Correct Answer:cultural inclusion,a school celebrates Diwali with a special assembly

a school celebrates Diwali with a special assembly

Correct Answer:benefitting public services,migrants work in health and social care

migrants work in health and social care

5 Questions

Q1.
Match the word to its correct definition.

Correct Answer:migration,the movement of people from one place to another

the movement of people from one place to another

Correct Answer:community,a group of people living in the same place or sharing common traits

a group of people living in the same place or sharing common traits

Correct Answer:'brain drain',the loss of skilled workers from one country to another

the loss of skilled workers from one country to another

Q2.
Many migrants send money home to support their families. This money is called ...

Correct Answer: remittances, remittance

Q3.
Which of these is an example of 'brain gain'?

a teacher leaves their village in Pakistan to work abroad
Correct answer: a nurse returns to her home country and opens a clinic
a student studies medicine in the UK and moves to Liverpool
a migrant sends money back home to the family or community

Q4.
Put these effects of migration on the home country in the most logical order.

1 - a skilled worker moves abroad
2 - the home country loses skilled staff
3 - the worker sends money back to their family
4 - the worker returns with new skills and experience

Q5.
Match each place with an effect of migration shown in the lesson.

Correct Answer:Slough,experienced a need for school places and housing due to high migration

experienced a need for school places and housing due to high migration

Correct Answer:The Philippines,gained income through money sent home by workers abroad

gained income through money sent home by workers abroad

Correct Answer:Birchanger Primary School,welcomed refugee pupils from around the world, boosting diversity

welcomed refugee pupils from around the world, boosting diversity


To help you plan your 9 citizenship lesson on: How does migration affect communities?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...