FOREIGNERS’ INTEGRATION AND LANGUAGE LEARNING IN ADULT EDUCATION IN CANADA: EXPERIENCE FOR UKRAINE

Oct 15, 2026

Research on foreigners’ integration and adult language learning in Canada is presented as a core component of adult education. The study synthesizes system, structural, functional, andragogical, axiological, intercultural, and competency-based approaches. It reviews Canadian immigrant integration programs and adult language learning initiatives, identifying “Language Instructions for Newcomers to Canada” as especially widely used. Based on Canada’s positive experience and Ukraine’s lack of comparable programs, an elective course for international PhD students was designed and evaluated through a post-course survey.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Theoretical Background

Research Aims

Program Analysis and Outcomes

Course Development for Ukraine

Survey Results

DOI: 10.20535/2410-8286 .167172 FOREIGNERS’ INTEGRATION AND LANGUAGE LEARNING IN ADULT EDUCATION IN CANADA: EXPERIENCE FOR UKRAINE Mariia Busko (Corresponding author) Liudmyla Huk, Halyna Kuzan, Nadiia Vilkhovchenko Lviv Polytechnic National University, Lviv, Ukraine [mariyabusko@gmail.com](mariyabusko@gmail.com) The article deals with the research of special features of foreigners ’ integration and language learning in Canada as an integral part of adult education. The paper outlines a complex of basic scientific approaches such as system, structural and functional, andragogical, axiological, intercultural, and competency-based approaches. The study analyses a number of programmes for immigrants’integration in Canada, as well as language learning by adults. Critical overview allowed assuming that “Language Instructions for Newcomers to Canada” is the most popular programme among immigrants in this country. Taking into account the lack of similar programmes for foreign students in Ukraine and positive experience of Canada in this sphere, Lviv Polytechnic National University developed an elective course for international PhD students aimed at their adaptation in Ukraine. The article focuses on the features of the course which is based on the “Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada” programme. Its content component is based on the demands, individual needs and involves the acquisition of language skills and acquaintance with the culture of the country. At the end of the course, the PhD students took part in a survey. The results of the survey showed that in spite of some difficulties, it appeared to be quite effective and informative. Keywords: adult education; Canada; immigrant; immigrants’ learning, integration; programme; language learning; newcomer. Introduction Globalisation processes at the beginning of the 21st century are characterised by not only expanding the opportunities but also challenges in the social, economic, and political transformations of civilizations that determine the development of knowledge-based economy and new requirements for the labour market. On the way to European integration, Ukraine faces numerous problems, one of which is migration. The experience of Canada, a country with effective policy and national strategy aimed at solving problems of social, cultural, economic development of the society and its enrichment based on applying immigrants’potential, is valuable for Ukraine. Adult education and immigrants’ learning are issues that are investigated by scientists worldwide. Due to global transformational trends in education, in particular, such processes as constant technological and scientific progress and migration of a considerable number of adults in the world, the issue of adult immigrants’ learning still does not lose its urgency and timeliness. The issue of adult immigrants’ learning, especially language learning, is very important both for the language and cultural policy of a country as well as for individuals who change their place of living arriving in other countries. One of the countries, where adult immigrant education is paid special attention and whose experience is worth studying and implementing is Canada. As revealed by the research, one of the main tasks of adult education in Canada is to assist immigrants in their adaptation to a new labour market and integration into Canadian society. The research aims at the analysis of adult immigrants’ language learning programmes in Canada and the evaluation of outcomes of using Canadian experience in Ukraine. Theoretical background The importance of adult learning is difficult to overstate so it is of considerable interest for researchers and scientists, who investigate into the new challenges arising before this area of education at present. Educators and researchers realise that “the difficult times in which we live require innovative, creative, and hopeful pedagogies of adult education”(Walter, 201

FAQs

What is the focus of the research on adult education in Canada?

The research focuses on special features of foreigners’ integration and language learning as part of adult education in Canada.

Which Canadian language-learning program is highlighted as the most popular?

“Language Instructions for Newcomers to Canada” is identified as the most popular program among immigrants in Canada.

How was the Ukraine elective course for international PhD students developed and evaluated?

Lviv Polytechnic National University developed an elective course based on the Canadian program, with content tied to students’ needs and language skills, and evaluated it using a survey where results indicated effectiveness and informativeness despite some difficulties.

Oct 15, 2026

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