Kielten käyttö ja oppiminen aikuisten maahanmuuttajien integroitumisen ja identiteettien rakennusaineina

Abstract

This article examines the role of languages and language learning when adult migrants are narrating their integration and construction of identities in the new country, in particular, in work and professional communities, education and social life. We focus on two narratives by Russian-speaking women who migrated in Finland in the 2000s from Russia and Ukraine. Both of them have worked in various jobs and studied in different degree programs. The analysis reveals the importance of gaining opportunities to learn Finnish both formally as well as informally at work and in social life. The narratives also show that an adult migrant needs to be determined in learning Finnish independently even though it might cause emotional stress especially in the beginning. Finally, the article discusses some implications concerning language opportunities and barriers experienced by participants when dealing with their professional career paths and how these experiences are intertwined with integration policy.