Navigating New Horizons: The Vital Role of Group Language Classes in Newcomer Integration
By Jordan Cowell
Moving to a new country marks the beginning of a transformative journey fraught with challenges and opportunities. From learning a new language to navigating unfamiliar cultural norms, the process of integration for newcomers is multifaceted and demanding. In this article, we explore the pivotal role of group language classes in facilitating the integration of immigrants and refugees into their new communities.
Understanding the Journey
Adapting to life in a new country requires time and patience. Upon relocating, newcomers face several challenges, which could include learning the language, settling into their new city or town, navigating a new healthcare system, and finding a job. The process of cultural adaptation was first outlined by Norwegian sociologist Sverre Lysgaard in 1955, and is comprised of four stages:
Honeymoon: This initial phase is characterized by excitement, curiosity, and optimism as newcomers explore the possibilities of their new environment.
Crisis: Commonly known as culture shock or acculturative stress, this stage brings forth feelings of disorientation, frustration, and anxiety as individuals grapple with the unfamiliarity of their surroundings.
Recovery: With time, newcomers begin to regain their footing, rebuilding their confidence as they acclimate to their new circumstances.
Adjustment: In this final stage, individuals develop a deeper understanding of the host culture and an increased sense of belonging. They may experience biculturalism: adopting elements of their new culture, while retaining elements of their culture of origin.
Image source: https://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/living/cultural
While Lysgaard's model provides a general framework for understanding the highs and lows of cultural adaptation, it's essential to recognize its limitations, particularly for refugees and asylum seekers. Their migration experiences, often driven by violence or persecution, will inevitably impact their experience of acculturation. In such cases, tailored support mechanisms are needed during their integration process.
Facilitating Integration Through Social Connection
One of the most critical factors in newcomer integration is social connection. Migration can be an isolating experience for immigrants and refugees because they lack the social and professional networks previously established in their home countries. Rebuilding these networks, especially without proficiency in the new language, can be daunting. Group language classes, therefore, can be a great opportunity for both improving linguistic proficiency and building social connections.
Felt Education offers trauma-informed group English classes to low-income immigrants, refugees, and survivors of war, torture, and trafficking. Held online and entirely free of charge, these classes provide more than just language instruction; they serve as catalysts for social connectedness. Not only are the students learning key communication skills which will enable them to navigate life in the U.S. successfully, but they are doing so in a low-stakes and supportive environment which centers their wellbeing.
Caroline McKinnon, cofounder and CEO of Felt Education, has seen the positive social effects of the group classes firsthand, saying “For me, it is always delightful to see students hyping each other up . . . Someone will share a photo of their kid’s graduation, and the compliments flow in.”
Empowering Newcomers for Success
Felt Education's group English classes are just one example of the transformative power of community-driven initiatives in newcomer integration. By equipping individuals with language skills and fostering social connections, these classes pave the way for greater confidence and belonging. As newcomers navigate the complexities of adapting to their new environments, initiatives like these become stepping stones towards meaningful integration and participation in their new communities.
References:
University of California, Berkeley International Office: https://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/living/cultural
