The Ethical Issue of Ending English Classes for Newcomers

This event I selected mentions Bow Valley College ending classes for newcomers in English. The college opted for this solution as a means of saving money, which causes an ethical dilemma as the new population relies on these programs for their basic language acquisition, communication, and adjustment in Canada. Involvement of cultural groups that make up the two groups: Canadian institutions and newcomers/immigrants who arrive with alien language skills and cultural backgrounds. The college must decide between its financial priorities and social impact in inclusion and intercultural communications. The ethical problem here is that the slashing of language programs does harm to newcomers in that it robs them of a mechanism for adaptation. And without English courses, immigrants struggle to communicate, do their jobs, access services, or learn even the minutiae of Canadian culture. These points are highly relevant to intercultural communication, as language can help newcomers relate to the norms associated with the Canadian culture better and facilitate their interactions with members of other cultures. As described in Chapter 2, culture is learned and shared, and language is the first way in which individuals relate, understand, and value the behaviours of the culture. The erasure of language support by institutions allows newcomers to remain “outside” of the shared cultural experience, making intercultural communication a lot more difficult.  The end of these programs might save money but the long-term detriment to immigrants is more significant. For ethical intercultural communication, institutions must generate opportunities, not barriers, for people as they try to integrate into society.