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.

Tips for settling in another country with children

When my husband and I decided to immigrate to Canada, I remember myself having two main concerns. The first one was how to tell my 8-years old daughter about our decision. The second was how to tell my mom.

I decided to start with my mom. Actually, that was unexpectedly easy. She totally supported us, as she always does.

I was more concerned, however, about my daughter. She is a little shy (maybe “a lot”) and very loyal to her friendships.  I knew we had to take care of this with patience and love.

Once we had sent our visa application, even though we hadn’t had any answers yet, we decided that it was time to tell her.

So, we started “the” dialogue, simplified here.

Us: We decided to move to Canada, you know that is another country, right? We will live there.

She: When?

Us: When we have our documents released (and we briefly explained her the visa process and how it works to live in another country).

She: What language do they speak?

Us: They speak English.

She: But I don’t speak English.

Us: That’s ok. You will learn it.

And from that moment my heart started to break. I knew, from my previous experience in London, England, how hard it is not to speak the country’s language. I also knew how hard it is to leave everything behind. So, she took some private English classes and also started an English course, where she only learned the basics, the survival structures. Our intention was to familiarize her with the language.

We were always open to talk to her about Canada, to make plans and share our expectations. We were also open to listen her concerns and to address every fear of her with love and understanding.  The hardest one was when she started to become worried about her friends. And how she would make new friends. Or how often she would see her friends from Brazil. Not always we have answers to our children’s questions. But we have tried really hard to make everything as honest as possible to her. To decide to move to another country isn’t an easy decision but it was the right one for us.

Here are some tips that we have learned with our journey so far:

·      Try to explain to your children early on in the process what is happening, even if they are very young. Make the children feel involved. Be simple, concise and honest.

·      Don’t anticipate possible questions they may have. Induce the conversation, but do not make questions for them. Questions will come up naturally. Answer all the questions they ask with honesty and sincerity.

·      Don’t diminish their feelings. Do not say things like “it’s easy”, or “it’s nothing”. Instead say, “it’s not easy, but we can handle it together, we have each other to support and care.”

·      Take their favorite toys/stuff with you, even though it may be cheaper to buy them again when you get there. In particular, use some of your hand luggage allowance for their favorite toy.

·      Take with you as much as possible of the familiar things your child uses daily. Being able to see familiar stuff make them feel safe.

·      Take photos of the most silly things that make up your children’s world: their room, their friends, the grown-ups they know, the places they go to, the kitchen in their old home. Even take pictures of their toys. Print the photos and put them in an album that your child can keep in their new room. More than anything else, it builds a bridge to their new life.

·      Be around a lot for your children when settling into your new life. You may be the only familiar face they know and if they can see that you are calm and happy, they probably will be too. This is the most challenging thing of all to do because there is so much to do when setting up a new life abroad, but anything you can do will help.

·      Try to ensure you can get a decent Internet connection along with a webcam and a Skype account. Allow your children to connect with family and friends as much as they need. Naturally, they will engage on their new life and seek for familiar references will became less necessary with the time.

·      Lastly, tell your children how much you love them. Always. Everyday. Cuddle, hug, and make them feel safe and loved.  Children adapt to new places.  They just need (as we need too) some time.

My daughter is doing very well. We are super proud of her! She has started to communicate in English just after two months being here! She has made new friends! She still misses her friends from Brazil, and we are still learning how to deal with the distance from our families. But, more importantly, we are together!