Date of Award

2009

Degree Type

Major Research Paper

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Immigration and Settlement Studies

First Advisor

Vappu Tyyska

Second Advisor

Mehru Ali

Abstract

Canada's point system has helped ensure that many immigrants, both men and women, are fluent in English upon arrival (Kilbride et. al, 2008.) Consequently, research has indicated that those who enter as sponsored or dependent family members, the majority of whom are adult women, arrive with limited fluency in English. A qualitative research approach, including two focus-group interviews with seven Assyrian immigrant women helped identify factors that have stymied or facilitated their successful acquisition of English. Conceptualizing the relationship between the langugae learner and the social world, a feminist poststructural theory (Weedon, 1997) provided a glimpse in the ways in which proficiency or, lack thereof in English has impacted the lives of Assyrian immigrant women in the areas of work, family and well-being. The findings suggest there are needs specific to each ethno-linguisitc group and that a one-size-fits-all approach in English programming does not help address these differences.


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