Educational Support for Migrants

5/16/2023

Alora Hager
Migrants who must study in a new foreign environment for long periods are not only introduced to

unfamiliar cultures, but sometimes also find themselves immersed in them. Unfortunately, not everyone

adapts easily to the unfamiliar realities that surround them.

“Content analysis of the latest scientific research studies has revealed that psychological, socio-cultural,

and linguistic adaptation is understudied for expatriates and first-generation migrants; culture-learning

factors (cultural distance and interaction) are overlooked for first-generation migrants, as are family

factors for international students and stressors for expatriates [6].” (Valieva et al. The socio-linguistic

adaptation of migrants: The case of oralman students’ studying in Kazakhstan) Migrants are forced to

deal with a completely different culture with no preparation or support. Some migrants cannot adjust to

this big change in their life. An example of this would be the Migrant Mother photograph by Dorothea

Lange. The photograph shows a picture of a migrant mother who has seven children. With the only

support they have in their life regarding work is being a pea-picker. Not having the financial support for a

proper education, her seven migrant children will be at a disadvantage in starting their life.

A major disadvantage migrants have regarding the lack of educational support is the language barrier.

Studies show that “the language barrier is considered by most researchers of cross-cultural adaptation to

be a universal obstacle to integration into host culture environments [6]. However, in some cases even a

high level of language proficiency does not guarantee productive and successful communication. A study

of foreign postgraduate students at a UK university, for example, revealed that students who had been

successfully using English in their academic environment still faced difficulties with speaking English in

real-world settings in the UK [7]…. It results in negative emotional responses such as apprehension,

anxiety, shame, fear of being tested and evaluated, and low self-esteem [4,6].” (Valieva et al. The socio-

linguistic adaptation of migrants: The case of oralman students’ studying in Kazakhstan.) These negative

emotions caused by the language barrier might cause migrants to drop out of school. Causing them to
not have the educational requirements for most jobs (high school diploma.) Leading them not to have

the support require to raise kids of their own, and if they do, they are not able to break the cycle.

Fortunately, after noticing the lack of educational support for migrants a study was conducted to

identify ways of learning and teaching English to Oralmen students. The study consisted of a

questionnaire given to 600 Oralmen students that contained the following three sections: social and

psychological characteristics, level of proficiency in languages in the form of a test, and difficulties in

studying English at an institution of higher education. They also interviewed 90 Oralmen and 10 English

teachers. When evaluating the effects of language barriers on socialization it “directly affects the success

of communication. Among these difficulties, scientists emphasize the significance of insufficient

knowledge of the language in a new socio-cultural environment, the inability to define various social

roles that are assumed by participants, and ignorance of implications that are clear to native speakers.”

(Valieva et al. The socio-linguistic adaptation of migrants: The case of oralman students’ studying in

Kazakhstan.) Scientists state it is a long and difficult process for understanding social values which is the

main platform for languages in society.

Works cited

Valieva, Fatima, et al. “The Socio-Linguistic Adaptation of Migrants: The Case of Oralman Students’
Studying in Kazakhstan.” Education Sciences, vol. 9, Jan. 2019. EBSCOhost,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1231021&site=ehost-live.

Lange, Dorothea, photographer. Destitute pea pickers in California. Mother of seven children. Age thirty-
two. Nipomo, California. United States Nipomo San Luis Obispo County California, 1936. March.
Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017762891/