Young adult Syrians in Nova Scotia struggle with English

A group that's been helping Syrian refugees settle in Nova Scotia is concerned about some of their language skills, particularly those who are 18 to 25 years old.

"We were hearing from the community from different sources that we had some young people here who were not being served well," said Gerry Mills, operations director for the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia.

Mills says when Nova Scotia began taking in Syrian refugees early this year, the focus was on their safety, finding them a place to live and making sure they were in good health.

English language training

Today, many of children are enrolled in schools and taking special English language training.

The Halifax Regional School Board said as of June it has 320 students registered — with six more expected to start in September.

Mills said adults older than 25 are in adult language programs — programs that now have a wait list.

Language skills essential

But it's the 18-to-25-year-old demographic that's of concern to ISANS.

"There are so many of them who have missed a lot of education who need to get their language and do some career exploration," Mills said.   

ISANS has reassigned one of its English-as-an-additional-language instructors to start a summer program at the Cunard Learning Centre on Bayers Road.

Language skills low

Up to 25 students will attend class from July 11 to the end of August.

Mills says there are about 70 young adults who fit the profile of being behind on their education and in need of English language training.

She says on a scale of one to 12 their English language skills are at around one.

'Nowhere to go'

"They're isolated. They don't speak the language. They have nowhere to go. They don't know people. It's just a very, very difficult age to be anyway and then added to that you can't speak the language."

The English-as-an-additional-language program will be open to all new immigrants in the 18-to-25-year-old range — not just Syrian refugees.