Navigating Immigrants’ Experience with the Necessity of English Language Skills in Their Workplace Earnings

Abstract

Can English language skills (i.e., oral and written) heighten useful career-boosting opportunities for immigrants in any transnational context? In overseas workplace settings, migrant workers’ communicative competence in English marks visible recognition of labor market integration and the achievement of better job positions/opportunities, which are significant determinants of better earnings. In light of these auspicious prospects, this study intends to determine Bangladeshi immigrants’ experiences and perceptions of the need for English language communication skills in the workplace because such skills enhance their earnings and labor market integration and adaptability. To this end, this study piloted a direct interview with Bangladeshi immigrants working in the city of Jazan, Saudi Arabia. The interview process followed the preset interview questions (see Appendix A). The interview technique was adopted as a qualitative data collection tool. The author followed the qualitative research methods and thematic data analysis policy. The data analysis findings revealed that immigrants’ communication competence in English opens diverse career paths and enables them to integrate into the job market, better job management, and better job performance, which impacts the achievement of better job positions/opportunities, consolidating increased payment or earnings. The study also showed that migrants should prioritize bilingual skills, i.e., English, as well as the language of the (host) country beforehand any economic migration engagement. In addition, the study highlights some insightful implications based on research investigations. It is assumed that the current study will be a useful complement to the intersectional approach to economic migration as well as immigrants’ better earnings enhanced by professional English communication skills in transnational settings.