Dr Mike Chick presented the findings from his review of the Welsh Government’s Language Education Policy for Migrants to the Welsh Government's Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan Steering Group on Wednesday January 18, 2023.

 
In 2022, the Welsh Government commissioned a review of its Language Education Policy for Migrants in Wales such as resettled refugees and people seeking sanctuary. The review was undertaken in a collaboration between Dr Mike Chick, who has been researching issues around language education and migration for 10 years, and the Learning and Work Institute.

Its wide-ranging scope looked at all aspects of language provision including access to classes, curriculum design, teacher education and pathways to employment. The research gathered data from language learners, teachers and managers from the formal and informal sectors and the report contained over 40 recommendations to improve the current provision.

Dr Chick said: “Since language is directly related to inclusion, integration and a sense of belonging, the Welsh Government’s Anti-Racist Action Plan Steering Group were keen to hear how the recommendations made in the report could help the Welsh Government’s aim of being an actively anti-racist nation.
 

The report is due to be published this spring.

Dr Mike Chick's research interests include second language teacher education as well as the organisation of ESOL provision for vulnerable sections of society. He has recently completed a research project investigating the barriers to employment faced by participants on the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme. Mike is USW's Refugee Champion.