Open AccessLanguage and education policy as one of the main challenges of migrant integration in Poland
Author(s) -
Emilia Wąsikiewicz-Firlej
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
glottodidactica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2956-3658
pISSN - 0072-4769
DOI - 10.14746/gl.2021.48.2.07
Subject(s) - scope (computer science) , state (computer science) , political science , migrant workers , language policy , social integration , audit , economic growth , education policy , sociology , public relations , higher education , pedagogy , business , economics , law , accounting , algorithm , computer science , programming language
This article aims to map current state policy and governmental responses to migrant integration in Poland, as well as to identify pressing needs and key challenges in this area, with a particular focus on language and education. It draws on a literature review and analysis of legal documents and reports on migrant integration and language policy for 1989–2020. When analysing the data, particular attention was paid to the declared state policy on migrant integration and its actual implementation, as captured in the Supreme Audit Office (NIK 2015, 2020) and Migrant Integration Policy Index reports (MIPEX 2015, 2020). The research shows that the scope of integration activities and their effects have been unsatisfactory to date. The situation of migrants in Poland was dubbed “equality on paper” in the MIPEX 2020 report. Current programmes and activities are not fostering full integration of migrants. Apart from housing and employment issues, a lack of language skills and education that is not responsive to the needs of migrants remain the main barriers to migrant integration in Poland.