How important is to know English before coming to Canada as an immigrant

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Language has many functions on our lives. Have you ever thought about it? I did. Especially when, some years ago, I was in London, England, without knowing a word in English.

I had to find a job to support myself. And that was the hard part: find a job where I didn’t have to communicate in English. Eventually I found one. I was my cousin’s nanny. And his mother wanted somebody who could speak Portuguese to him. So, it was a perfect fit to me. But it was a part-time job and I needed more. So I found another job. I was a cleaner to a big house and I had to clean it in four hours. Oh boy, that was hard!

At that point I started to “remember” my education and how many efforts I have made to get it. I had a degree on Social Communication and a diploma on Teaching. I started to ask myself what was I doing there. I had to find better jobs. By the way, I have nothing, nothing at all, against baby-sitting or cleaning houses. I just knew I could do better money using what I had learned.

As I was a teacher, I started to look for jobs as a Portuguese teacher, which is possible in London. And again, I found new jobs, but I was working just a few hours and, again, I was not doing enough money.

By the time, I didn’t have money to invest in education and I was literally stacked.

To simplify this story, I ended up going back to Brazil, for many reasons, the main one being the lack of visa possibilities.

So, my conclusion, from my own experience – and that could not be everyone’s truth – is that YES, is better if you can come to Canada (or any other country) being able to communicate in the language.

I am not saying that it is impossible coming to Canada not knowing English. Actually, it is. And I absolutely know that people find jobs even if they don’t speak English well. What is in the table here is how much you are willing to tolerate. Not being able to communicate affects your self-esteem. Affects your ability to sort things out. Affects your belief in who you are.

Language is an important part of one’s culture. It is a vital tool that allows us to learn and to interact with people. We use language to ask questions, to demonstrate how we feel and what we need, to make sense of our experiences.

When you are in a different country and you cannot communicate effectively, you may experience some frustration, maybe a lot of frustration. And you must be ready for that. I have been there and I can tell you that it hurts a lot not being able to deliver properly a message. You feel incapable. You feel vulnerable. So it really depends on how you will look at this situation. You must be aware that you will be going through that.

Do not give up

Learning a new language is something beautiful. Is something meaningful that will enhance your own skills. You will be a better person after that process. You will be better prepared and aware of differences and diversity. You will be able to communicate even better in your own language. It will improve your employment potential and certainly it will help you make lifelong friends. Learning a second language in loco is even better. Is quicker and you will learn the culture along with that language. Take advantage on that and ask questions.

And never, ever give up. Do not feel ashamed! Do not feel diminished. You are doing something that not everyone is up to do. So, take proud of yourself. Just be aware that it will take sometime to learn and you definitely deserve that time.