Missä ja miten maahanmuuttajat kehittävät ammatillista kielitaitoaan?
Keywords:
immigrants, work-related language skills, language education, Finnish as a second languageAbstract
This paper discusses where and how immigrants develop their work-related Finnish language skills. To form a basis for a data-driven review, some observations are made on the language education policies defined in other countries as a response to the globalizing labour market. A functional view on language skills is introduced by presenting some principles and uses of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The autobiographic interview data to be analysed has been collected within the research project Finnish as a work language: A sociocognitive perspective to work-related language skills of immigrants. The factors directing the development of work-related language skills appear to be time and goals, language studies, and, above all, the support received from the work community. According to the interviewees, the role of language studies has actually been rather limited, because the focus had been in general language skills and grammar, and not in the work-related needs and communication practices. The conclusion is that tailored language education matching the needs of workplace is needed. It should also prepare the students to find effective strategies for language learning at work.
