Refugees 'lost' without learning Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - 16:30

The cultural, social and economic contributions which refugees have made to life in the UK are being recognised as part of the 13th Refugee Week (14 - 20 June).

NIACE is drawing attention - during Refugee Week - to the impact adult learning provision can have to help refugees and asylum seekers adjust to their new communities and to begin contributing to society. Central to this are good language skills and research shows that quick access to ESOL classes is crucial.

In 2007 the UK Government withdrew the right of asylum seekers to access courses, including English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), for their first six months in the country or until they receive refugee status - despite the fact that the Declaration of Human Rights states, Everyone has the right to education regardless of national or social origin, birth or other status.

This policy change aggravates feelings of isolation, affects mental health and well-being and inhibits community cohesion. It also creates additional difficulty in understanding medical advice or communicating with public bodies. The damage to individuals and wider society is significant, which is why NIACE is running its Right to A Voice campaign to highlight the injustice of the changes. Over 100 organisations and individuals - including Oxfam, the Refugee Council, the Open University and the Archbishop of Canterbury - have already joined us in trying to reverse this Government policy.

Ruqia has been living in this country for 20 years. Originally from Somalia, she came to the UK on a teacher training scholarship and stayed on as it wasn't safe for her to return home because many of her colleagues were being killed in the civil war. As a teacher she recognises how important language skills are:

"It's not as necessary as food and shelter but, apart from that, language is second to those. Every day I meet members of the Somali community, especially women, who don't speak the language. I can see the limitations in their lives...how they feel that they are not part of the society. Language is the key for people to develop that sense of belonging...to understand people, to reduce prejudices as well as having skills for work, for independence, for people to be really in control of their lives."

Language is the key for people to develop that sense of belonging...to understand people, to reduce prejudices as well as having skills for work, for independence, for people to be really in control of their lives."

Ruqia

Kaiwan, from central Iraq, was just 16 years old when he arrived in England in 2001, having been persecuted and imprisoned in his own country. Unable to speak a single word of English was isolating for Kaiwan.

He said:

"I was lost, I couldn't even buy a loaf of bread."

But Kaiwan's determination in learning English has paid off. He has had several jobs and now works as a lorry driver. He added:

"Learning makes a big difference in your life. Without English, I'd be lost."

NIACE Project Officer, Ljaja Sterland, said:

"Many asylum seekers and refugees have a variety of skills in various fields, and require ESOL to learn and improve their English language so that they are better able to use their skills to support themselves independently and contribute to the wider community. NIACE, and other, research shows that the UK may be missing out on the contribution asylum seekers and refugees could be making to the UK economy."

On Tuesday 8 June 2010 Vernor Munoz Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education at the Human Rights Council at the United Nations presented his report on the right to education of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.