Perceptions of settlement well-being, language proficiency, and employment: An investigation of immigrant adult language learners in Australia

Kim, Sun Hee Ok; Ehrich, John; Ficorilli, Laura

doi:10.1016/j.ijintrel.2010.11.010

Cited by 24 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Using a self-assessment by refugees to determine levels of life satisfaction, the research found that while employment was a necessary condition for settlement success it was not by itself sufficient due to widespread downward mobility. Similar findings are reported by Kim et al (2012), who also adopted an emic view of settlement happiness due to the problematic nature of defining settlement success cross-culturally. The study, which explored how perceived wellbeing relates to English proficiency and employment in the context of the Adult English Migrant…”

Section: Defining Settlementsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…A small number of studies have explored subjective understandings of settlement in recent years (Kim et al, 2012) although few have done so in the context of skilled migrants and employment. Those that have looked at employment have focused on refugees and humanitarian entrants (Colic-Peisker, 2009a) and it is anticipated that this study will generate new understandings of settlement success from the perspective of those whose migration was voluntary.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The study adopts an emic view of settlement, focusing on migrants' own understanding of the settlement process and their satisfaction with the level of skill utilisation they have achieved. Other recent studies have adopted a similar approach in relation to refugee communities (Colic-Peisker, 2009a), or issues such as language proficiency (Kim, Ehrich, & Ficorilli, 2012), but there is little which considers the subjective employment experiences of skilled immigrants and in particular, the perceived impact of these experiences on settlement.…”

Section: Research Aim and Questionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Program, found that their initial prediction that immigrants with jobs would be happier than those without was not supported, and that future research should consider the quality of employment and its relevance to the overall settlement goals (Kim et al, 2012). Such studies are important as they privilege migrant perspectives, which ensures that aspects of particular relevance and importance to participants are considered.…”

Section: Defining Settlementmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Overseas-qualified professionals: the search for professional re-entry and its perceived impact on settlement

Scull¹

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Gaining recognition of overseas qualifications represents a major barrier for skilled migrants in Australia and is a primary cause of underemployment. While recent immigration policy initiatives have had some positive impacts on labour market outcomes among skilled migrants, the challenges posed by qualifications recognition remain and skill under-utilisation is a significant issue, particularly for migrants from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. The recent Australian literature on skilled migrants focuses predominantly on broader labour market trends and there is little qualitative research that has explored the labour market experiences of these migrants, or the perceived impact of their experiences on settlement.This exploratory study aims to address this gap by focusing on the subjective experiences of overseas-qualified professionals seeking professional re-entry in Australia. Specifically the research focuses on their search for qualifications recognition and skill utilisation, and the perceived impact of this search on settlement. Adopting a qualitative methodology, the study targeted migrants with qualifications and work experience in legally-regulated professions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 CALD overseas-qualified professionals in southeast Queensland. These interviews elicited an in-depth account of their search for professional re-entry, together with their perceptions of how these experiences had affected their settlement. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, which was guided by a conceptual framework that draws together aspects of recognition theory, cultural and social capital.The findings suggest that regardless of outcome, the majority of participants perceived that their search for professional re-entry had been to some extent negative. The search for registration was often characterised by the need for participants to make significant investments of time, money and effort. Despite such investments, many participants perceived that the design and implementation of the qualifications recognition process restricted their ability to demonstrate their linguistic and professional competence. Over half the participants had managed to gain registration, an outcome that represented formal recognition of their professional status. Registration itself, however, did not ensure skill utilisation, and professional re-entry was dependent upon gaining informal recognition in the labour market. In response to challenges encountered in the search for work, participants described a range of strategies they used to develop their employability. Despite these efforts, only six of the 20 participants had achieved professional re-entry at the time of interview.iii Participants' perceptions of how their search for professional re-entry had affected their settlement were inextricably linked with their understandings of settlement. Participants understood settlement as a sense of security and belonging, which could be facilitated by meaningful work. Those ...

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Section: Defining Settlementsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Research Aim and Questionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Defining Settlementmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Overseas-qualified professionals: the search for professional re-entry and its perceived impact on settlement

Scull¹

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“…In recent years, there has been a flurry of literature examining ethnicity and ethnic identity, particularly with respect to second-generation migrants (Andits, 2010;Chariandy, 2007;Christou & King, 2010;Daha, 2011;Dandy & Pe-Pua, 2009;DeCapua & Wintergerst, 2009;Getrich, 2008;Gonzales-Bachen, 2013;Gonzales-Bachen & Umaña-Taylor, 2011;Hatoss, 2006;Kane, 2012;Kambaskovic, 2013;Kiang & Fuligni, 2009;Kim & Chao, 2009;Kim, Ehrich & Ficorelli, 2010;Papas, 2012;Rooney, Nesdale, Kane, Hattie & Goonewardere, 2010;Sala, et al, 2009;Sharma, 2012;Stroink & Lalonde, 2009;Trezise, 2011;Yip, Douglas & Shelton, 2013;Zevallos, 2008;.…”

Section: Ethnicitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Displacement, Identity and Belonging

Cutcher¹

2015

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ScopeThe Teaching Race and Ethnicity series publishes monographs, anthologies and reference books that deal centrally with race and/or ethnicity. The books are intended to be used in undergraduate and graduate classes across the disciplines. The series aims to promote social justice with an emphasis on multicultural, indigenous, intersectionality and critical race perspectives.Please email queries to the series editor at (paperback) ISBN: 978-94-6300-069-7 (hardback) ISBN: 978-94-6300-070-3 (e-book)Published by: Sense Publishers,

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The Politics of Language in Education in a Global Polity

Hamid¹

2016

The Handbook of Global Education Policy

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Perceptions of settlement well-being, language proficiency, and employment: An investigation of immigrant adult language learners in Australia

Cited by 24 publications

References 27 publications

Overseas-qualified professionals: the search for professional re-entry and its perceived impact on settlement

Overseas-qualified professionals: the search for professional re-entry and its perceived impact on settlement

Displacement, Identity and Belonging

The Politics of Language in Education in a Global Polity

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