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Say it like Goethe: Language learning facilities abroad and the self-selection of immigrants

Author

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  • Jaschke, Philipp

    (Institute for Employment Research (IAB), Nuremberg, Germany)

  • Keita, Sekou

    (Institute for Employment Research (IAB), Nuremberg, Germany)

Abstract

"Immigration policy in most high-income countries is designed to promote qualified migration while maintaining high requirements on characteristics such as education and language skills. We rely on a standard self-selection model with heterogeneous migration costs to discuss the effect of access to language learning services in the country of origin on the skill composition of immigrants in Germany. Using individual-level survey data on immigrants from different cohorts over the period 2000 - 2014, combined with unique data on the presence of Goethe Institutes - a German association promoting German language and culture worldwide - in origin countries, the results of our empirical analysis show that the acquisition of the German language is fostered by the availability of language courses abroad. Moreover, we find that language services abroad induce a positive (self-)selection of migrants along several dimensions, such as education, experience, and the probability of holding a job offer at arrival. These characteristics are in turn highly relevant for long- term integration in Germany. To disentangle transmission channels, we perform a causal mediation analysis. We find that 25 % of the total effect of language services abroad on language skills at immigration trace back directly to migrants' participation in language courses, revealing important spillover effects." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Suggested Citation

  • Jaschke, Philipp & Keita, Sekou, 2019. "Say it like Goethe: Language learning facilities abroad and the self-selection of immigrants," IAB-Discussion Paper 201914, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
    • Handle: RePEc:iab:iabdpa:201914
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    Cited by:

    1. Omar Martin Fieles‐Ahmad & Matthias Huber, 2022. "Learn German, Buy German? Language‐learning opportunities abroad and exports," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(10), pages 3031-3058, October.
    2. Jaschke, Philipp & Keita, Sekou, 2019. "Spracherwerb vor der Zuwanderung: Förderung von Deutschkursen im Ausland lohnt sich (Language acquisition before immigration: Promotion of German courses abroad pays off)," IAB-Kurzbericht 201921, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
    3. Huber, Matthias & Uebelmesser, Silke, 2023. "Presence of language-learning opportunities and migration," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    4. Omar Martin Fieles-Ahmad & Matthias Huber, 2021. "Learn German, Buy German? Language-learning opportunities abroad and exports," Jena Economics Research Papers 2021-008, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena.

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    Keywords

    Bundesrepublik Deutschland ; Auswirkungen ; berufliche Integration ; Deutsch als Fremdsprache ; Einwanderer ; Herkunftsland ; Qualifikationsstruktur ; IAB-SOEP-Migrationsstichprobe ; Spracherwerb ; Sprachkenntnisse ; Sprachunterricht ; 2000-2014;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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