Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction
Volume 3, Issue CSCW, 2019

Finding language classes: Designing a digital language wizard with refugees and migrants (Editorial)

Weibert A. , Kruger M. , Aal K. , Salehee S.S. , Khatib R. , Randall D. , Wulf V.
  • a University of Siegen, Germany
  • b University of Siegen, Germany
  • c University of Siegen, Germany
  • d University of Siegen, Germany
  • e University of Siegen, Germany
  • f University of Siegen, Germany
  • g University of Siegen, Germany

Abstract

For migrants and refugees, settling in a host country often proves hugely problematic. The ability to communicate marks a significant step in the process of resettlement. The current high number of migrants coming to Europe has therefore meant that the need to improve and increase the availability of language provision has become more pressing. Nevertheless, due to the complexity of financial and legal regulations and of policy restrictions, access to and information about available courses are in practice hard to find, and non-funded volunteer initiatives are scarcely visible at all. To address this problem, a newly developed language-course wizard provides orientation for refugees and migrants. Findings indicate that its visual representation is apt to span a broad range of cultural as well as educational backgrounds. Our work demonstrates the need for a detailed approach to understanding the challenges that refugees and other migrants face in practice. Failing this, services frequently do not reach those they are intended for. Copyright is held by the owner/author(s). Publication rights licensed to ACM.

Author Keywords

Language learning Refugees Participatory Design Migrants

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85075046417&doi=10.1145%2f3359218&partnerID=40&md5=b42bf2d2f3b8a0febf1306109745c628
DOI: 10.1145/3359218
ISSN: 25730142
Original Language: English