Language proficiency is central to immigrant children’s integration at school
Language proficiency is central to immigrant children’s integration at school
The integration of immigrants presents a major challenge for many host countries, particularly in the context of rising migration flows. For children of migrant and refugee families, acquiring the host-country language is especially critical. Proficiency in the language of the host country shapes educational achievement, social integration and, ultimately, participation in the labour market. By contrast, limited language comprehension can hinder learning, restrict interaction with teachers and peers, and undermine overall wellbeing.
This briefing summarises research that shows how improving immigrant pupils’ competence in their host country language skills strengthens belonging, reduces bullying and benefits the wider school environment.
ESRC Centre for Population Change
Wahba, Jackie
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Vlassopoulos, Michael
2d557227-958c-4855-92a8-b74b398f95c7
Qin, Yu
8882c521-0712-4619-8e15-b7b2589433d8
Mcgowan, Teresa
4524e894-04de-4822-8508-f4b966e12ae2
Dey, Becki
3d22f8a6-7085-493c-864f-4cc1bcdebfc5
18 March 2026
Wahba, Jackie
03ae9304-c329-40c6-9bfc-d91cfa9e7164
Vlassopoulos, Michael
2d557227-958c-4855-92a8-b74b398f95c7
Qin, Yu
8882c521-0712-4619-8e15-b7b2589433d8
Mcgowan, Teresa
4524e894-04de-4822-8508-f4b966e12ae2
Dey, Becki
3d22f8a6-7085-493c-864f-4cc1bcdebfc5
Wahba, Jackie, Vlassopoulos, Michael and Qin, Yu
,
Mcgowan, Teresa and Dey, Becki
(eds.)
(2026)
Language proficiency is central to immigrant children’s integration at school
(ESRC Centre for Population Change Connecting Generations Policy Briefing Series, 90)
ESRC Centre for Population Change
4pp.
Record type:
Monograph
(Project Report)
Abstract
The integration of immigrants presents a major challenge for many host countries, particularly in the context of rising migration flows. For children of migrant and refugee families, acquiring the host-country language is especially critical. Proficiency in the language of the host country shapes educational achievement, social integration and, ultimately, participation in the labour market. By contrast, limited language comprehension can hinder learning, restrict interaction with teachers and peers, and undermine overall wellbeing.
This briefing summarises research that shows how improving immigrant pupils’ competence in their host country language skills strengthens belonging, reduces bullying and benefits the wider school environment.
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More information
Published date: 18 March 2026
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 510974
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/510974
PURE UUID: 25c55b18-99d9-466b-923f-a0aff003733f
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Date deposited: 28 Apr 2026 16:44
Last modified: 29 Apr 2026 02:04
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Contributors
Author:
Yu Qin
Editor:
Becki Dey
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