2022-12-30 18:27:53
We understand that navigating life in America also impacts English-speaking immigrants as they adjust to life in a new country with its own unique linguistic and cultural quirks.
Daily challenges related to speaking English emerged as a common theme for many immigrants.
Here are 5 stats about incoming immigrants:
1. Among Asian Americans ages 5 and older, 58% of immigrants speak English proficiently, compared with nearly all of the U.S. born who say the same (94%).
There is language diversity among Asian immigrants living in the U.S. The vast majority (86%) of Asian immigrants 5 and older say they speak a language other than English at home, while 14% say they speak only English in their homes.
2. Some participants mentioned that when they struggled to speak in English, they noticed frustration from people they were interacting with. A Taiwanese woman described her experience at stores:
“Because my English isn’t that good, I often feel slighted by shopkeepers … some lose their patience with me.”
3. There were participants who recalled feelings of fear at school, not only because they did not know the language but because they did not understand how American society and schools functioned. One immigrant woman of Vietnamese origin recalled not knowing whom to ask for help because no one in her family understood American culture.
4. Some participants recalled their decision to purposely live in a place without other immigrants from their own ethnic group. This allowed them to immerse themselves in American culture, including English language, and offered an opportunity to practice speaking with native speakers.
5. American pop culture and media served as an important tool in many immigrants’ English-learning journey. Focus group participants shared how watching American television, listening to radio and podcasts, and reading publications in English helped them improve their comprehension, speaking and writing skills.
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