Migrating to a new country is a courageous and revolutionary act that brings with it hope and dreams for a better future. The challenges faced by people with a migration background in the country of arrival are many, including language. The ability to communicate effectively in the language of the host country is not just a skill: it is a gateway to success, integration, and a better quality of life.
For this very reason, EU+map aims to support people with migrant backgrounds in learning Italian by creating a European Map of Experiences in Countries of Reception.
What is the role that a language plays in the lives of individuals? It is the foundation of social integration. By learning the language of the target country, people with migrant backgrounds can bridge the gap with the local community. As a result, language courses provide people with migrant backgrounds with the tools to interact with neighbors, colleagues and fellow students. This, in turn, fosters the development of a sense of belonging and helps reduce feelings of isolation and alienation. Access to the labor market also often depends on language skills. Without a strong knowledge of the host country’s language, people with migrant backgrounds may find themselves forced to take low-paid, subordinate jobs that do not reflect their skills or qualifications.
Language courses therefore provide the opportunity to seek better employment opportunities, leading to greater financial stability and independence. For people from migrant backgrounds with families, language courses are essential for their children’s education. Understanding the local language is crucial for academic success and participation in extracurricular activities. In addition, language courses also enable adults to continue their education or acquire new skills, contributing to their personal growth and integration into society. Language proficiency gives voice to people with migrant backgrounds, enabling them to participate in civic life and contribute to the democratic process.
In conclusion, language courses are not just a means of acquiring language skills: they offer to people with migrant backgrounds seeking to build a better future in host countries a new opportunity. Recognizing and supporting the importance of language courses is not just a humanitarian act; it is an investment in the social and economic prosperity of both people with migrant backgrounds and host societies.
Eu+Map aims to provide a concrete opportunity for people with migrant background, specifically in 7 cities: Berlin (Germany), Malmö (Sweden), Sapes (Greece), Pau (France), Roskilde (Denmark), Bilbao (Basque Country) and Palermo (Italy). First of all, the project will intervene in improving the skills of teachers working with people with migrant backgrounds, through the proposal of guidelines, trainings and tools with innovative teaching methods. In addition, it will seek to raise teachers’ awareness of how the emotional dimension of learners can influence precisely in the learning process.
Next, skill development pathways will be created for adults with migrant backgrounds, and the accessibility of language courses for vulnerable groups with unfavorable conditions for learning will be improved.
Finally, people with migrant backgrounds will be invited to express their impressions of Europe and share personal experiences to promote social inclusion. The stories will be collected in a digital map so as to promote diversity, understanding and closeness.
Stay up to date to learn about all the news of EU+Map, through the website https://euplusmap.eu/, by following us on Facebook or by writing to Enrico Casacchia: enrico.casacchia@cesie.org.
About the project
EU+Map – Map of Experiences across Europe is a project funded by DG EAC KA220-ADU – Cooperation partnerships in adult education.
Partners
- IBERIKA EDUCATION GROUP (Germany, Coordinator)
- SWIDEAS AB (Sweden)
- SYNERGASIA ENEGON POLITON (Greece)
- PISTES SOLIDAIRES (France)
- CLAVIS sprog & kompetence (Denmark)
- CESIE (Italy)
- UNIVERSIDAD DEL PAIS VASCO/EUSKAL HERRIKO UNIBERTSITATEA (Spain)
For further information
Read more about EU+Map, visit the web page https://euplusmap.eu/ and follow us on Facebook.
Contact Enrico Casacchia: enrico.casacchia@cesie.org.
