Linguistic integration of adult migrants: requirements and learning opportunitie

Book excerpt: Report on the 2018 Council of Europe and ALTE survey on language and knowledge of society policies for migrants Migration is one of the most contentious issues in current international politics. To better understand this issue, the Council of Europe conducted an extensive survey among Council of Europe member states on requirements regarding language and knowledge of society that migrants must meet to obtain access to the country, residency or citizenship. This report, based on that survey, will be relevant to anybody interested in migration and language policy. It pays particular attention to vulnerable learner groups and the degree to which member states provide migrants with adequate learning opportunities. In addition to discussing current trends, it also shows that language and knowledge of society requirements were gradually made stricter between 2007 and 2018. Based on the survey results and on available research, the authors formulate a number of policy recommendations, emphasising the importance of providing adequate learning opportunities and warning against requirements that might hinder, rather than foster, integration.