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Gender Differences in Language Acquisition and Employment Consequences among Southeast Asian Refugees in Canada

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  • Morton Beiser
  • Feng Hou

Abstract

When they arrived in Canada, female Southeast Asian refugees were far less likely than males to speak English. The male linguistic advantage was still in evidence a decade later. Women had fewer opportunities than men to learn English during the post-migration period. Ironically, however, women benefited even more than their male counterparts from opportunities such as English as a second language (ESL) classes. English-language ability improved the likelihood of staying in the labour market. This effect was even stronger for women than for men. Resettlement policies must ensure unbiased opportunity to acquire the language of the receiving society.

Suggested Citation

  • Morton Beiser & Feng Hou, 2000. "Gender Differences in Language Acquisition and Employment Consequences among Southeast Asian Refugees in Canada," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 26(3), pages 311-330, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpp:issued:v:26:y:2000:i:3:p:311-330
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chiswick, Barry R & Miller, Paul W, 1995. "The Endogeneity between Language and Earnings: International Analyses," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 13(2), pages 246-288, April.
    2. Beiser, Morton & Turner, R.Jay & Ganesan, Soma, 1989. "Catastrophic stress and factors affecting its consequences among Southeast Asian refugees," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 28(3), pages 183-195, January.
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    1. Beiser, Morton N.M.N. & Hou, Feng, 2006. "Ethnic identity, resettlement stress and depressive affect among Southeast Asian refugees in Canada," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(1), pages 137-150, July.
    2. Debora Pricila Birgier & Eyal Bar-Haim, 2023. "Language Used at Home and Educational–Occupational Mismatch of Migrants by Gender," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 170(1), pages 265-290, November.
    3. DeVoretz, Don J. & Pivnenko, Sergiy & Beiser, Morton, 2004. "The Economic Experiences of Refugees in Canada," IZA Discussion Papers 1088, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. Regina Pernice & Andrew Trlin & Anne Henderson & Nicola North & Monica Skinner, 2009. "Employment Status, Duration of Residence and Mental Health Among Skilled Migrants To New Zealand: Results of a Longitudinal Study," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 55(3), pages 272-287, May.
    5. Jonas Wood & Dries Lens, 2024. "Does timing matter? Language course participation and language outcomes amongst new immigrants," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, December.

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