Language, Gender and Citizenship: Obstacles in the Path to Learning English for Bangladeshi Women in London's East End

Abstract

A key element of the Government's citizenship strategy is the requirement that all immigrants have a basic command of English. The lack of English speaking skills has been identified as a contributory factor to much of the social unrest amongst different communities in the UK. It has been argued that the ability to speak English will allow immigrants to integrate better, create more cohesive communities and reduce segregation. This paper will question the emphasis placed on language proficiency in reducing segregation and discuss issues around language and citizenship by exploring the experiences of Bangladeshi women living in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Drawing on qualitative interviews it will argue that while the ability to speak English may indeed enhance elements of women's lives and allow them to engage more actively in the community, there may be an over-emphasis on its role in reducing segregation. The paper also argues that learning English is not simply a matter of personal choice, multiple cultural and gendered factors intersect to sometimes limit individual's options. Within the Bangladeshi community, women's voices are the least heard, their opinions are rarely sought and it is usually the men from the community who speak on behalf of the women. This paper will show how whilst Asian men were denouncing policies to encourage learning English, women expressed a strong desire to be able to speak English, yet identified a range of obstacles preventing them from being able to learn. It is suggested that more attention needs to be paid to women's needs to help facilitate their participation in the community and aid them to achieve full citizenship status. This is turn can enable women to help create more cohesive communities.

Feeling Special: Language in the Lives of Polish People

“…The research findings also signal the complex factors that influence the process of learning a new language. Ahmed (2008) has shown this in relation to Bangladeshi women in London who provide valuable childcare and support for families so that men can become active citizens. They are not likely to meet or socialise with English speakers whilst looking after children and many of their social contacts will be with other Bangladeshi women in community centres where little English is spoken.…”

“…Participants in this group gave various reasons for not having more frequent contact with English speakers, including those mentioned above in relation to the lack of suitable classes, their views about the values of people from other communities and their age. When classes became available, men were more likely to go to them as women were seen as being responsible for looking after any children and their male partners needed English to get work (see also Ahmed, 2008 for evidence of the gendered nature of access to English language learning). People in this group wanted to return or had wanted to return to Poland when they first came.…”

“…There was a willingness to learn English but the majority found it difficult. The most common reasons for not attending any language courses were: lack of time because of work due to long working hours, shift patterns or working at weekends; family commitments such as looking after children; the cost of course fees; and the lack of access to courses (see also Ahmed, 2008 for further evidence of these factors). Older participants thought their age had an impact on their language ability.…”

Making political citizens? Migrants’ narratives of naturalization in the United Kingdom

“…Inequalities both 'inside' and 'outside' of the process that shape migrant women's experiences of naturalization have been documented and the withdrawal of state support criticized during the course of our project in the Wonder Foundation (2016) report. This work builds on a longstanding body of research demonstrating the intersections of race and gender inequality, lack of language proficiency and socioeconomic deprivation for some migrant women and the role of ESOL in this process (Ahmed 2008). Some migrant women already face a 'triple burden' as female, foreign and racialized -in addition to women's 'double burden' of unpaid work in the home and labour market (Pessar 1999).…”

Improving patient experience in primary care: a multimethod programme of research on the measurement and improvement of patient experience

“…173 Older Bangladeshi and Pakistani women may be prevented from acquiring English proficiency through family obligations or cultural and community expectations. 174 A number of studies have suggested that language discordance in clinical encounters may negatively impact on quality of care. 172,[175][176][177] Challenges in communicating in language-discordant consultations can lead to particularly strong tensions between 'ideal' standards of communication and what is 'good enough'.…”