Document Type

Dissertation

Rights

Available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 4.0 International Licence

Disciplines

5.3 EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES, Social issues

Publication Details

Successfully submitted for the award of Master of Arts (MA) in Higher Education to the Technologicl University Dublin in 2014

Abstract

This research explored the acquisition of English by Programme Chechen refugees who arrived in Ireland ten years ago. Very many of them had less than a basic level of English. To meet the language needs of the newly arrived Chechen Programme refugees an intensive English course was set up by the local Vocational Education Committee. However, refugees’ basic needs such as health care, parental care took precedence over language provision. The research found that they were unable to fully participate in and benefit from the course. The process of acquiring English happened to a large extent outside the classroom. This research also looked at how the Chechens have acquired language outside the classroom and within their social environment since their initial English language course. The collective case study research with a qualitative approach produced a number of findings that complemented each other. The findings from the assessments, the questionnaire, the semi-structured interviews, individual case studies and notes made from empirical observation all reinforced each other. The experiences of the individual personalities which became apparent in the individual case studies also shared a lot in common. This research has shown that the Chechens in Roscommon town have become well integrated; they are independent and plan to stay. Most of them speak English quite well and are continuing to improve by participating in local society. Based on the results of this research, it is recommended that the initial language course for programme refugees should be set up at an appropriate time for them, after a period of time for settlement.

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