Ingrid Piller, a leading voice in migration and language studies, is joined by her co-authors Donna Butorac, Emily Farrell, Loy Lising, and Shiva Motaghi Tabari, who collaboratively examine the experiences of 130 migrants in Australia. They tackle the significant barriers these individuals face in securing employment due to perceived language proficiency. The conversation emphasizes the need for systemic changes to better integrate skilled migrants and recognizes the resilience and empathy required in navigating their new environments.
Language acquisition for migrants is essential not only for communication but also for securing employment and integrating socially into their new environment.
Systemic barriers in employment often undermine the capabilities of migrants, highlighting the need for a reevaluation of language proficiency assessments in job markets.
Deep dives
Understanding Language Learning in Context
The discussion highlights the intertwined nature of language learning and practical life applications. Migrants face not only the challenge of acquiring a new language but also the immediate need to use it for essential tasks such as finding employment, accessing healthcare, and forming social connections. This experience underscores the assertion that learning a new language is not merely an academic exercise; it’s about adapting and thriving in a new cultural and social environment. The research presented captures the urgency and complexities of these life experiences, illustrating the profound impact language has on a migrant's ability to establish a successful new life.
Ethnographic Research and Its Findings
The research encompasses the experiences of 130 migrants from various countries over two decades, shedding light on their journey of language acquisition. It employs data from six ethnographic studies, focusing on lived experiences while also addressing themes of resilience and identity. Participants shared stories reflecting both hardships, such as encounters with racism, and their determination to succeed, revealing deep insights about their interactions with language in a new country. These narratives illustrate the importance of recognizing and valuing diverse linguistic backgrounds in the context of Australia’s migration policies.
Employment Challenges and Barriers
Employment emerges as a significant theme in the lives of the migrants studied, revealing high rates of underemployment and unemployment among them. Despite many participants having previously demonstrated proficiency in English, systemic barriers often hindered their integration into the job market. A prevalent issue discussed is how language proficiency assessments can serve as exclusionary criteria rather than accurate reflections of an individual's capability to perform a job. These findings point to the need for a reassessment of how language proficiency is evaluated in relation to employment opportunities for migrants.
The Importance of Empathy and Policy Change
The discussion calls for a shift in attitudes towards migrants, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding their unique challenges. It's crucial to recognize that language barriers do not equate to a lack of intelligence or capability; many successful individuals face undue hardships in their new environments. Policy changes are suggested to create more cohesive pathways for migrants in terms of job accreditation and integration into the workforce. By fostering an understanding of the dual challenges faced by migrants and advocating for structural changes, society can enhance inclusivity and support for newly arrived individuals.
This episode of the Language on the Move Podcast is part of the Life in a New Language series. Life in a New Language(Oxford UP, 2024) is a new book just out from Oxford University Press. Life in a New Language examines the language learning and settlement experiences of 130 migrants to Australia from 34 different countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America over a period of 20 years. It’s co-authored by Ingrid Piller, Donna Butorac, Emily Farrell, Loy Lising, Shiva Motaghi Tabari, and Vera Williams Tetteh.
In this series, Brynn Quick chats with each of the co-authors about their personal insights and research contributions to the book.
Today, Brynn chats with Ingrid Piller, one of the book’s six co-authors, with a focus on migrants’ challenges with finding work.
For additional resources, show notes, and transcripts, go here.