Objective: The focus of this study is how skills acquired from everyday life in one's native country can represent a resource in language training and work for immigrants and refugees. The specific aim is to explore what significance activity and participation in activity have on language training. Methods: This qualitative study is based on fieldwork carried out in relation to a group of illiterate immigrants at a centre for adult education. The sample consists of 11 adult immigrants and refugees, male and female, between the ages of 20 and 65. The interviews with all the participants were carried out with the help of an interpreter. Results: The main findings were that the individual immigrant's history of activities received little attention during the language training. There was hardly any mention of previous experience from everyday life and work. By relying on different activities in the language training, the resources and background of the individual immigrant would have become more visible. Familiar activities from one's own culture enable communication when language skills are limited. © 2012 Informa Healthcare.

Participation in activities Language training for illiterates Non-western culture

education educational status refugee Norway human Life Change Events middle aged Refugees life event Aged language qualitative research interview Young Adult Humans Occupations Interviews as Topic male Emigrants and Immigrants occupation female verbal communication Narration Article adult migration teaching