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Educational Support For Migrants 5/16/2023 Alora Hager
Educational Support For Migrants 5/16/2023 Alora Hager
Educational Support For Migrants 5/16/2023 Alora Hager
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
“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
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
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/