Language and Intra-EU Immigrant Integration in the Netherlands: Evaluating Dutch language-based integration policies and exploring the effects of language use on intra-EU immigrants' integration.

Aziza Anna-Lee ZIJLSTRA

Master's thesis

Language and Intra-EU Immigrant Integration in the Netherlands: Evaluating Dutch language-based integration policies and exploring the effects of language use on intra-EU immigrant integration

Abstract:

Few studies have investigated the relation between language use, policies, and integration of intra-EU migrants. This study aimed to do precisely that, by investigating intra-EU immigrants' relational integration in the Netherlands at the institutional and inter-subjective level. To do so, it was investigated how Dutch policies and educational practices aimed to use language to steer intra-EU immigrant integration. Additionally, the relation between language use (English, Dutch, and country-of-origin language) and intra-EU immigrant integration (i.e., sense of belonging and perceived discrimination) was researched using pre-existing NIS2NL data of recent Spanish, Polish, and Bulgarian intra-EU immigrants in the Netherlands. Moreover, interviews were conducted to explore policy advisors' and educators' perspectives of the policies, practices, and integration processes. At the institutional level, it was found that Dutch policies aimed to help (low-skilled) EU labor migrants become full-fledged members of society by informing them about the available Dutch language trajectories. Interviewees were positive about this system, but they noted that information and communication to intra-EU immigrants could be improved. Also, more than the policies, they emphasized the importance of informal language trajectories and the role of the Dutch citizens in the integration process. At the inter-subjective level, it was found that while using Dutch heightened intra-EU immigrants' sense of belonging to the Netherlands, CO-language use did not affect sense of belonging, and knowledge of English limited sense of belonging. Moreover, although both Dutch and CO-language use heightened perceived discrimination, knowledge of English and multilingualism lowered perceived discrimination. Interviewees emphasized the importance of Dutch for integration, the cultural value of the CO-language, and both the benefits and downsides of knowledge of English. Based on these findings, future policies should aim to contradict monoglossic ideologies in Dutch societies, by underlining that CO-language use does not affect immigrants' sense of belonging to the Netherlands, provided they also used the Dutch language. Future studies should further investigate these findings with different samples.

Abstract:

Few studies have investigated the relation between language use, policies, and integration of intra-EU migrants. This study aimed to do precisely that, by investigating intra-EU immigrants' relational integration in the Netherlands at the institutional and inter-subjective level. To do so, it was investigated how Dutch policies and educational practices aimed to use language to steer intra-EU immigrant integration. Additionally, the relation between language use (English, Dutch, and country-of-origin language) and intra-EU immigrant integration (i.e., sense of belonging and perceived discrimination) was researched using pre-existing NIS2NL data of recent Spanish, Polish, and Bulgarian intra-EU immigrants in the Netherlands. Moreover, interviews were conducted to explore policy advisors' and educators' perspectives of the policies, practices, and integration processes. At the institutional level, it was found that Dutch policies aimed to help (low-skilled) EU labor migrants become full-fledged members of society by informing them about the available Dutch language trajectories. Interviewees were positive about this system, but they noted that information and communication to intra-EU immigrants could be improved. Also, more than the policies, they emphasized the importance of informal language trajectories and the role of the Dutch citizens in the integration process. At the inter-subjective level, it was found that while using Dutch heightened intra-EU immigrants' sense of belonging to the Netherlands, CO-language use did not affect sense of belonging, and knowledge of English limited sense of belonging. Moreover, although both Dutch and CO-language use heightened perceived discrimination, knowledge of English and multilingualism lowered perceived discrimination. Interviewees emphasized the importance of Dutch for integration, the cultural value of the CO-language, and both the benefits and downsides of knowledge of English. Based on these findings, future policies should aim to contradict monoglossic ideologies in Dutch societies, by underlining that CO-language use does not affect immigrants' sense of belonging to the Netherlands, provided they also used the Dutch language. Future studies should further investigate these findings with different samples.

Keywords

intra-EU migration, relational integration, language use, language policy, integration policy, The Netherlands, freedom of movement

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 1. 6. 2021

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: doc. PhDr. Daniel Topinka, Ph.D.

Palacký University Olomouc

Faculty of Arts

Master programme / field:
Humanities / Euroculture