ABSTRACT
This introduction chapter gives an overview of the key concepts discussed in the consequent chapters of this book. The period of massive inflow of immigrants into Britain is past. This book concentrates on psychological factors within immigrants, and on the importance of these factors for relations with locals, and for education. It argues, in a nutshell, that immigrants experience a state of estrangement from both their original societies and also from the receiving society. The formation of an immigrant underclass, or at the very least of a separate social bloc within the British society, is already under way. The book aims at fostering insight and understanding among members of the public, teachers, educational policymakers and teacher educators. It is also intended as a textbook containing a psychological introduction to the area of multiracial education, both for teachers in the initial phase of training and also for practising teachers who wish to develop their understanding of psychological principles in the area.
