“Successful” migration, (English) language skills and global inequality: The case of Bangladeshi migrants to the Middle East

Abstract

Migration has become a vital element of the Bangladeshi economy, which has led to an increasing focus on providing Bangladeshis with the skills needed on the international labour market. English is often cited as one of these skills, and previous research has shown that a primary reason why Bangladeshis wish to learn English is due to its perceived value for pursuing work abroad (Erling, Elizabeth J., Philip Seargeant, Mike Solly, Qumrul H Chowdhury, & Sayeedur Rahman. 2012. Attitudes to English as a language for international development in rural Bangladesh. London: British Council. Available online at http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/publications/attitudes-english-a-language-international-development-rural-bangladesh.). The extent to which English is of value in economic migration, however, has been underexplored in research (Coleman, Hywel. 2010. The English language in development. London: British Council. Available at http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/publications/english-language-development.). Drawing on data from a qualitative study which provides new insights into the experiences and perceptions of a cohort of returnee migrants, this article investigates the perceived value of (English) language skills for migration. The study finds that economic migrants see the advantages of having particular skills, especially English, for economic gain. However, applying a capabilities lens to their narratives (Sen, Amartya. 1999. Development as freedom. Oxford: Oxford University Press.) reveals the difficulties of classifying their experiences in terms of “success” given the deeply embedded structural issues and challenges the participants report facing. This article therefore questions assumptions that language skills can be transformational when social inequality is (re)produced in the context of migration.

Navigating Immigrants’ Experience with the Necessity of English Language Skills in Their Workplace Earnings

“…Future research should assess the impact of language pro ciency (both English and French) on the occupational success of immigrants in the Canadian labor market. Erling et al (2019) investigated Bangladeshi immigrants' successful migration in the Middle East and noted that migration is a vital element of the Bangladeshi economy, which has led to an increasing focus on providing Bangladeshis with the skills needed in the international labor market. English is often cited as one of these skills that provides economic bene ts to migrants (Erling, Qumrul, Solly, & Seargeant, 2019).…”

“…Some studies, such as Lindley (2002), Schellekens (2001), and Casale and Posel (2011), argue that language skills, especially English communication competence, have a positive effect on job opportunities, job-changing chances, and earnings. The necessity of English language skills in the workplace for Bangladeshi immigrants has been a subject of increasing concern for the country's economic development (Erling et al, 2019). The relative advantage of English language skills is greater for those in the top quarter of earnings, while greater penalties exist for immigrants with low levels of language pro ciency at the upper end of earnings (Boyd & Cao, 2009).…”

Navigating New Horizons: Vietnamese English-major Graduates in Non-Traditional Careers

“…Luo and Shenkar's (2006) findings suggest that employees with higher levels of English proficiency are more likely to be involved in significant projects and decision-making processes, thereby enhancing their career growth opportunities. Another critical angle is presented by Erling et al (2019), who investigated the role of English proficiency in the context of global labor migration. Their study revealed that in many cases, proficiency in English can compensate for the lack of local language skills in the destination country, particularly for skilled professionals.…”