Syrian Refugees’ Participation in Language Classes: Motivators and Barriers

Authors

  • Nicole Ives McGill University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2772-1310
  • Anna Oda York University
  • Jonathan Bridekirk York University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7493-8515
  • Michaela Hynie York University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9266-9902
  • Susan McGrath York University
  • Rana Mohammad Carizon
  • Mona Awwad OMNI Television
  • Kathy Sherrell Immigration Services Society of British Columbia
  • Mahi Khalaf Immigration Services Society of British Columbia
  • Marcela Diaz Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County, Ontario

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25071/1920-7336.40799

Keywords:

refugees, language, integration, Syria, resettlement, literacy

Abstract

Resettlement country language literacy facilitates integration and counteracts social and economic marginalization. Thus, access to language learning is a social justice issue. Resettled refugees in Canada are eligible for free English/French language training. Between 2015-2017, Canada resettled 47,735 Syrian refugees. We explored predictors of language class participation for Syrian refugees, examining data from 1915 adult Syrian refugees in government-funded language classes in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. Findings suggest access to language programs are shaped by provincial policies. Factors hindering participation varied by province and included gender, physical/mental health, education, English/French literacy, and employment. Practice and policy recommendations are discussed.

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Author Biographies

Nicole Ives, McGill University

Nicole Ives is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work, at McGill University. She can be reached nicole.ives@mcgill.ca

Anna Oda, York University

Anna Oda is the Syrian Refugee Integration and Long-Term Health Outcomes in Canada research study coordinator at the Centre for Refugee Studies, York University.  She can be reached at annaoda@yorku.ca.

Jonathan Bridekirk, York University

Jonathan Bridekirk is a PhD candidate in the Department of Psychology at York University. He can be reached at jbride@yorku.ca.

Michaela Hynie, York University

Michaela Hynie is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at York University. She can be reached at mhynie@yorku.ca.

Susan McGrath, York University

Susan McGrath is a Professor Emerita at the School of Social Work at York University. She can be reached at smcgrath@yorku.ca.

Rana Mohammad, Carizon

Rana Mohammad is the Newcomer System Navigator-Carizon in Kitchener, Ontario. She can be reached at ranaamohamad@gmail.com.

Mona Awwad, OMNI Television

Mona Awwad is a News Reporter at OMNI Television.  She can be reached at mona.awwad.q@gmail.com.

Kathy Sherrell, Immigration Services Society of British Columbia

Kathy Sherrell is the Director of Settlement Services at Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia. She can be reached at kathy.sherrell@issbc.org.

Mahi Khalaf, Immigration Services Society of British Columbia

Mahi Khalaf is a Program Manager at Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia. She can be reached at mahi.khalaf@issbc.org.

Marcela Diaz, Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County, Ontario

Marcela Diaz is a Settlement and Integration Program Manager at the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County, Ontario. She can be reached at mdiaz@themcc.com.

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Published

2022-08-23

How to Cite

Ives, N., Oda, A., Bridekirk, J., Hynie, M., McGrath, S., Mohammad, R., … Diaz, M. (2022). Syrian Refugees’ Participation in Language Classes: Motivators and Barriers. Refuge: Canada’s Journal on Refugees, 38(2), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.25071/1920-7336.40799

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