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.

THE PROS AND CONS OF MIGRATION

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Human migration is not a new movement happening in the world. It goes back to the early humans as a way of survival, looking for food and better resources to live. And has never stopped since then.

Many developed countries experience a big flow of immigration. And this is a complex subject as it has its pros and its cons.

For some people immigration is an issue, causing fear, uncertainty and anxiety. To others, immigration is actually, an economic solution and an integrated way to live with no barriers.

Even though I am an immigrant here in Canada, who came from Brazil, I can see some of the negative impacts that immigration can possibly bring to some countries. Issues such as pressure on public services (health, education, welfare etc.), increase of unemployment for local people, decrease of wages, risk of loosing the national identity and language, cultural differences and adjustments, can be just a few of the negative effects of immigration.

And similarly because I am an immigrant coming from a country essentially shaped by immigrants (Brazil was mainly colonized by Europeans and Africans) I can observe the pros of immigration. Economic growth can be sustained, population growth is also maintained, services to elderly can be offered (when there are no sufficient people locally). Immigrants bring diversity and innovation, which creates new experiences and enrich the local culture by adding new food, art, and creativity just to mention a few.

Immigration is a vast topic that has to be planned and controlled by each country, in order to bring the best for both: the host country and the immigrant. Laws and regulations have to secure immigrants’ rights. The host country has to offer a settlement infrastructure to guarantee that the immigrant will adapt. The only thing that has to be out of this topic is bias.