Regions, countries and ethnic groups are not easily compartmentalized. Therefore, the following information is meant to provide an introduction or overview for educators. Understanding the cultures of diverse students requires more than identifying their country of origin or ethnic group. Beyond simple categorizations, educators must consider the varying social contexts and interactions of their students' geographical and political past as well as their present educational environment and community. May the following information serve as a beginning in this complex process. The following links are to papers written by graduate students in ED 346 Teaching Bilingual Students and were posted with the author's permission.