Abstract
Research indicates that immigrant women have lower levels of English than men in English speaking regions including Canada. In Canada, Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) is a government-funded language program which assists immigrants in improving their language levels. However, immigrant women face a number of barriers to accessing this program. These barriers suggest that LINC does not successfully accommodate immigrant women's diverse gender-based roles. This study examines the barriers that exist including the barriers reported by four Spanish speaking female immigrants. With the help of LINC key informants, this study suggests that the LINC Home Study program, a distance study program, any assist women who are unable to use the in-class LINC course to improve their English language level.
Highlights
In reviewing literature on second language acquisition and immigrant language levels, I noticed a trend of immigrant women having lower second language levels than immigrant men
With the help of Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) key informants, this study suggests that the LINC Home Study program, a distance study program, may assist women who are unable to use the in-class LINC course to improve their English language level
As noted earlier, two language assessors were interviewed: one worked in Toronto; the other worked outside this city. The findings from these interviews were quite similar. To have their language assessed, newcomers go to an assessment centre where the language assessors rate their language skills using the Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLBA) system of assessment, and refer them to a LINC language class corresponding to their level
Summary
In reviewing literature on second language acquisition and immigrant language levels, I noticed a trend of immigrant women having lower second language levels than immigrant men. Before arriving in Canada, she spent several years in the United States, followed by a year in a medium-sized Canadian city before moving to Toronto She and her husband have a baby, while the rest of her family lives in Colombia. Attitude toward English When she arrived in Canada, Elena felt very limited by her level of English, but she has learned enough since that she does not feel so limited In her current situation, she does not have much opportunity to speak English, because she spends a lot of time at home with her child. From Colombia, she spent two years in the United States before immigrating to Canada She lives with her two school-age children as well as her partner. Her current efforts to improve her English include listening to spoken English around her and independent book-based study
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