Language Proficiency Effects Regarding Immigration People often tend to forget the importance of language in their daily lives. One can only truly understand the importance of a common language when exposed to a scenario where no common language is present. Communication is limited, therefore a sense of belonging is diminished and any daily activity becomes a task. An immigrant with little English proficiency goes through this inconvenience daily. Although the preservation of culture is important, English proficiency is beneficial to an immigrant; it allows for more opportunities to integrate socially and gives the immigrant a stronger sense of belonging and loyalty. Higher language proficiency levels improve an immigrant’s employability and earning capacity. One source …show more content…
The reverse is also true, immigrants who rise in social and economic status tend to learn English better and faster. Common language gives an immigrant a sense of social belonging. To “belong” or feel “belonged” one must be socially accepted by the people surrounding them. Dranitasaris explained that, “The basis of our individual identity comes from the way in which we construct our view of ourselves and of others when we are in interaction. As a result of our relationships and interactions, we may grow, or our growth may be thwarted. Ideally, through our initial relationships within our families, we identify with a scheme of socially imposed values that are deeply linked to our own personal motives. These values can create profound connections and a common language between individuals and groups because of their emotional intensity” (Dranitsaris). The fact that social acceptance is so crucial to our individual identity makes it all the more important to find that belonging. English can make that easier for an immigrant that does not know enough about the country he is migrating to.