Volume 10 in the Australian National Centre for English Language Teaching and Research (NCELTR) Research Series.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 83-93)

"This research report analyses the changing way settlement has been understood in Australia over the last 50 years, and the implications of this today.

It examines several issues surrounding settlement including the often contentious question of what exactly settlement is, and whether we can recognize and assess successful settlement. The factors influencing settlement are explored, with the socio-economic and cultural context in the host country being seen as having the greatest influence on the settlement experience. The report problematises the role of English in the settlement process, a topic which is usually viewed uncritically, and proposes a critical framework for the range of issues involved in language learning in settlement. An empirical study of individual immigrants’ settlement experiences in Australia is documented at the end of the report. This study has a focus on the role of English and illustrates in particular the interaction of English language proficiency with the various other factors affecting settlement.

This report will be of particular interest to teachers of English as a second language, policy makers in the field of settlement policy, and others with an interest in the immigrant experience." (Book Cover)

Acronyms

Introduction

Chapter 1: Towards a definition of settlement

Changing definition of settlement in Australia Assimilation Multiculturalism Notions of settlement
Settlement as a process Settlement and length of time
Settlement as a series of achievement
Assessing successful settlement
Key features of settlement

Chapter 2: Factors influencing settlement
The background of the immigrants
Cultural background Individual attributes
The mode of migration The refugee experience Context in the host country Economic factors Government policies
Family Ethnic community Attitudes of host society
Significant factors today

Chapter 3: Language and settlement – the role of English in the settlement process Historical context and function of English in settlement in Australia Learning English and cultural assimilation Language and social identity and culture
The language learner and the social world The socio-political context and the implications of English language learning in settlement
Curriculum in English language learning
A bilingual approach to English language learning
Bilingualism in language education in Australia Language education in settlement

Chapter 4: Empirical study
Description of sample Educational background Immigration
Settlement priorities Settlement problems
Employment
English language proficiency
Learning English
Language use and needs
Conclusion

"This research report analyses the changing way settlement has been understood in Australia over the last 50 years, and the implications of this today.
It examines several issues surrounding settlement including the often contentious question of what exactly settlement is, and whether we can recognize and assess successful settlement. The factors influencing settlement are explored, with the socio-economic and cultural context in the host country being seen as having the greatest influence on the settlement experience. The report problematises the role of English in the settlement process, a topic which is usually viewed uncritically, and proposes a critical framework for the range of issues involved in language learning in settlement. An empirical study of individual immigrants’ settlement experiences in Australia is documented at the end of the report. This study has a focus on the role of English and illustrates in particular the interaction of English language proficiency with the various other factors affecting settlement.
This report will be of particular interest to teachers of English as a second language, policy makers in the field of settlement policy, and others with an interest in the immigrant experience." (Book Cover)

Acronyms
Introduction

Chapter 1: Towards a definition of settlement
Changing definition of settlement in Australia
Assimilation
Multiculturalism
Notions of settlement
Settlement as a process
Settlement and length of time
Settlement as a series of achievement
Assessing successful settlement
Key features of settlement

Chapter 2: Factors influencing settlement
The background of the immigrants
Cultural background
Individual attributes
The mode of migration
The refugee experience
Context in the host country
Economic factors
Government policies
Family
Ethnic community
Attitudes of host society
Significant factors today

Chapter 3: Language and settlement – the role of English in the settlement process
Historical context and function of English in settlement in Australia
Learning English and cultural assimilation
Language and social identity and culture
The language learner and the social world
The socio-political context and the implications of English language learning in settlement
Curriculum in English language learning
A bilingual approach to English language learning
Bilingualism in language education in Australia
Language education in settlement

Chapter 4: Empirical study
Description of sample
Educational background
Immigration
Settlement priorities
Settlement problems
Employment
English language proficiency
Learning English
Language use and needs
Conclusion