Cuko, Kostanca

“Living” the host society: The role of informally learning French as a second language in the immigration integration process in Quebec (Canada). - 2021.


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This study aims to better understand the role of informally learning French as a second language during the integration process of immigrants in Quebec (Canada). To achieve this, we interviewed forty immigrants who had taken or were taking “formal” French courses and asked them to reflect on their informal learning of the language. A thematic analysis allowed the main themes to emerge. The results presented highlight the circumstances and reasons leading immigrants to learn French informally, the role of informality in the identity transition that takes place during migration, the link between first and second language-culture, the place of technology in informal learning, and the importance of language socialization for integration into a new environment. Ideas allowing for better interaction between immigrants and native speakers are also suggested.