Saint Mark: Linguistic Diversity In Canada

Social Justice Question Saint Mark is an elementary school that has partnered with Care & Share, amongst other learning services, in order to accommodate students from various nationalities and backgrounds; most of the children who require extra attention speak another language other than English. Additionally, being in constant contact with linguistic minority situations can shape an individual’s self-identity, interpersonal relationships and social outcomes. In fact, language is a characteristic that closely relates to culture and beliefs, and ultimately affects one’s ability to understand and communicate with others. Consequently, it is crucial to provide the services necessary to minimize any negative effects that might arise from being identified as a minority, and reinforce the positive aspects of each individual’s uniqueness.

With globalization, linguistic diversity has been steadily increasing in Canada, and even though it is known that the government provides services to all Canadian residents, there is a possibility that not every community or individual possesses equitable access to the resources necessary to improve their quality of life. Regardless of the reasons for immigrating to Canada, newcomers encounter a

However, being a linguistic minority has an impact in the ability to properly communicate with others -- to understand and be understood ¬-- and it has been closely related to mental health. Linguistic restrictions can potentially affect one’s self-esteem and sense of belonging. Additionally, children from a linguistic minority might encounter a decrease in their academic performance when being tested in a language other than their mother-tongue which might cause frustration, and the requirement for additional support in order to overcome such