Integration of Immigrant Children: Language Needs Will Rise

I've written about the OECD's International Migration Report before in the context of emigration and immigration flows. Today I'm pointing out a trend I think will intensify over the next decade: government investment in childhood language acquisition for immigrants.

The 2024 OECD report calls out that while many countries are accepting more immigrants than ever before, there is also a growing focus to take care of and better integrate those that are already there: "Enhanced civic integration activities are being promoted, focusing on identity, sense of belonging, anti-discrimination, attitudes, and values."

The natural place to start in my opinion is with children of immigrants, so they can "grow into" the society their parents chose. But there are major gaps called out by a separate report from OECD on children of immigrants:

• At age 15, foreign-born students across the OECD are almost a full school year behind their native-born-parentage peers in reading scores. The gap is even wider—1.5 years—in the EU, with 45% of foreign-born students lacking basic literacy skills.
• Participation in formal Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is particularly beneficial for children of immigrants. However, an attendance gap for children of immigrants remains in several OECD countries.

Over the next decade I think we'll see a massive investment from governments across OECD to mandate early childhood education and care, including an emphasis on local language support. Education can't be delivered unless the student understands what's being said.

Teachers of young students, get ready :)