The Importance of English for Australian Migrants

Migrating to Australia can offer you and your family a brighter future and great cities to live in. This predominantly English-speaking country is one of the most multicultural diverse in the world, with one out of every four people having been born overseas. Since Populate or Perish policy of the Australian government after World War II, about 7 million people have migrated to Australia, making it a country based on international immigration.

Australia is a promising land of opportunity because of its vast land and rich natural resources. Large scale immigration has always been a part of the Australian culture, with the biggest number of migrants coming from skilled migration and family reunion programs. In line with this, many of these migrants have little English language skills, which cause them a significant disadvantage when it comes to employment and engagement in society.

English, the country's main language, is highly important for migration purposes. People who seek employment in Australia need to pass an internationally standardized test to be able to fulfill certain requirements for a visa. You need to speak, read, and write English to be able to work in Australia's workforce, where the main language used is English. If you go to Australia to reunite with family and loved ones, you still need English to be able to take part in society. Sure there are other languages spoken in the country, about 200 of them, but the dominant one used is English, making it an important skill that you can't simply do without. Even if, for example, you only speak Mandarin, and you work in a Chinese store with Chinese clients, you still need English to be able to function well into other areas, such as seeking for another job, getting further education, or simply doing your groceries.

The importance of English for migrants have been emphasized by the Australian government since their first English education program was launched in 1951. After the 2nd World War, large scale immigration from European countries occurred due to the government's efforts to attract immigration to the country. And since many of the migrants spoke very little or no English at all, the government decided to provide English language education through the Australian Adult Migrant Education Program in the fifties and sixties. Over the years, the focus of the program has switched to helping migrants develop a long-term ability to settle into the Australian society, and therefore, contribute more to the community and the economy. Today, this program is now called the Adult Migrant English Program, or the AMEP, used by over 50,000 migrants every year.

When you have good English skills, you will be able to bring the full value of your skills and experience to the industry. If you want to look for another job or change careers, its best that you have a great command of the language since English is used in the workforce. By being proficient in the language, you will also eliminate the chances of being taken advantage of by your employer - it will be easier for you to learn and know about your rights and laws in your new environment.

Need some help with your worker’s visa application processing? Move Migration’s licensed migration agents can help you break down the immigration process into simple stages. Visit Move Migration office at Suite 8, 281 Pacific Highway North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia or visit www.movemigration.com for more information about their services.

About the Author:

Michael Ma was a migration agent assistant for Move Migration, an immigration specialist agency with registered migration agents in Sydney, offering simple fee structures and exceptional services that will make the entire process easier and faster for its clients.