The Effect of Linguistic Distance and Country of Origin on Immigrant Language Skills: Application to Israel (original) (raw)

Immigrant Adjustment in Israel: Literacy and Fluency in Hebrew and Earnings

2000

This Discussion Paper is issued within the framework of IZA's research area Mobility and Flexibility of Labor Markets. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and not those of the institute. Research disseminated by IZA may include views on policy, but the institute itself takes no institutional policy positions.

Hebrew language usage: determinants and effects on earnings among immigrants in Israel

Journal of Population Economics, 1998

This paper uses the 1983 Census of Israel to analyze Hebrew speaking skills and the effects of Hebrew fluency on the earnings of adult male immigrants. Hebrew fluency increases with a longer duration in Israel, the presence of children in the household, marrying after immigration, living in an area in which a smaller proportion speak one's mother tongue, a younger age at migration, a higher level of schooling and varies by country of birth. Earnings increase monotonically with the use of Hebrew. Speaking English as a second language is associated with higher earnings, even when country of origin is held constant.

Linguistic and Economic Adjustment Among Immigrants in Israel

Social Science Research Network, 2016

Linguistic and Economic Adjustment among Immigrants in Israel * This paper analyzes the Hebrew language proficiency, probability of employment, and labor market earnings of immigrants in Israel. It uses the 2010/11 Immigrant Absorption Survey conducted by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics. Unique features of the analysis include the study of long-duration immigrants (3 to 20 years), and analyses for: males and females, primary reasons for immigration, the subsidized intensive Hebrew language training program (ulpan), Ethiopian Jews, and Jewish and non-Jewish immigrants from the Former Soviet Union (FSU), in addition to standard immigration, demographic, and human capital variables. Results from multivariate analyses largely accord with the "standard theoretical model" of language proficiency regarding the mechanisms of "exposure", "efficiency", and "economic incentives". Acquaintance with the local language, on its part, increases the likelihood of being employed, and it has positive earnings outcomes. We discuss implications of the findings for public policy which can improve the adjustment of these new immigrants into their new society hence also moderate inter-group tensions.

Language Acquisition, Employment Status, and the Earnings of Jewish and Non-Jewish Immigrants in Israel

International Migration, 2020

This article analyses the Hebrew language proficiency, probability of employment, and labour market earnings of immigrants in Israel. It uses the 2010/11 Immigrant Absorption Survey conducted by the Israeli CBS. In addition to standard immigration, demographic, and human capital variables, the analysis includes unique features: the study of long-duration immigrants, analyses of males' and females' primary reasons for immigration, the subsidized intensive Hebrew language training programme, Ethiopian Jews, and Jewish and non-Jewish immigrants from the Former Soviet Union. Results from multivariate analyses largely accord with the "standard theoretical model" of language proficiency regarding the mechanisms of "exposure", "efficiency", and "economic incentives". Acquaintance with the local language increases the likelihood of being employed and has positive earnings outcomes. We discuss implications of the findings for public policy which can improve the adjustment of these new immigrants to their new society, hence also moderate inter-group tensions.

Difficulties Linked to Hebrew Language among Immigrants in Israel

The present study examines language barriers experienced by Ethiopian women in Netanya, Israel. It aims at providing data on both the existing literature on the subject as well as on empirical results based on answers to a questionnaire. In particular, this paper looks into the difficulties linked to the Hebrew language with regard to the integration of these women, which is regarded as a hindrance towards a better and thorough integration in the city of Netanya. This language barrier affects all aspects of their daily life particularly in the fields of education and employment. This investigation into language barriers is seen through the eyes of one Ethiopian woman within her three-generation family. In addition to the disadvantage linked to language, this survey points out the discrimination which this minority population faces, especially women.

Linguistic Assimilation of First Generation South African Immigrants in Israel

We contribute to scholarship on the linguistic assimilation of migrants by focusing on the special case of Jewish South African migrants in Israel. English as an international language is widely used in the Israeli society, so immigrants whose mother tongue is English are a very interesting case because they might experience much less social pressure to improve their Hebrew skills than other immigrant groups who speak other languages. The study reveals that, although most first-generation immigrants participated in state-sponsored Hebrew classes and reported relatively moderate levels of language proficiency, it has not become their primary language. Hebrew proficiency proved conditional on age at arrival and rise sharply with tenure in the country and exposure to Hebrew (at origin or at destination). Hebrew proficiency is higher for migrants with more extensive contacts with Israelis and with higher education. Positive synergism emerged between language acquisition and reasons for migrating and attachment to the country.

Linguistic Assimilation of First-Generation Jewish South African Immigrants in Israel

Journal of International Migration and Integration, 2013

We contribute to scholarship on the linguistic assimilation of migrants by focusing on the special case of Jewish South African migrants in Israel. English as an international language is widely used in the Israeli society, so immigrants whose mother tongue is English are a very interesting case because they might experience much less social pressure to improve their Hebrew skills than other immigrant groups who speak other languages. The study reveals that, although most first-generation immigrants participated in state-sponsored Hebrew classes and reported relatively moderate levels of language proficiency, it has not become their primary language. Hebrew proficiency proved conditional on age at arrival and rise sharply with tenure in the country and exposure to Hebrew (at origin or at destination). Hebrew proficiency is higher for migrants with more extensive contacts with Israelis and with higher education. Positive synergism emerged between language acquisition and reasons for migrating and attachment to the country.

The Immigration of English- Speakers To Israel: 1981 & 1983

International Social Work, 1985

New immigrants represent a population at risk for increased emotional distress due to the number and frequency of major life changes they experience. Utilizing SCL-9&sl0; emotional health scores, this study describes the differing effects of immigration upon 162 recent English-speaking immigrants to Israel and compares them to the results of a similar study of 135 immigrants completed in 1981. In contrast to the 1981 study sample, it was found that among 1983 immigrants : (1) longer stays in immigrant absorption centers were not necessarily correlated with decreasing emotional

Language acquisition as the main vehicle of social integration: Russian immigrants of the 1990s in Israel

International Journal of the Sociology of Language, 2003

Drawing on the survey in a representative national sample of 804 post-1989 Russian-speaking immigrants in Israel, this article highlights the key role of the host language acquisition as a pathway to economic success and social integration. Russian immigrants are known for their tendency for cultural and linguistic retention, which in the Israeli case was augmented by their advanced average age, problems of occupational integration, and the lack of their exposure to Jewish heritage (and Hebrew) in the former Soviet Union. The formation during the 1990s of a strong and self-sufficient Russian community in Israel-with its own labor market, consumer services, media, and social networks-was for many immigrants a further disincentive from improving their Hebrew level. Although they are able to meet most of their basic needs within the so-called Russian street, immigrants with poor Hebrew remain socially disengaged from the host society. The improvement of Hebrew skills with increasing tenure in Israel was mainly found among young and middle-aged respondents, while older ones do not report positive change over time. Younger and upwardly mobile immigrants show the tendency to additive bilingualism, including the elements of Hebrew into everyday communications and cultural/media consumption, while retaining Russian as the core language. Although the division between host language use in the public realm and mother tongue in the private circle largely keeps true, Hebrew gradually invades informal communications and Russian often enters public/occupational domain. Mastering and using Hebrew serves as the key trigger for the reshaping of immigrants' identity to include new Israeli elements. The ability for verbal expression and understanding is more crucial than reading and writing skills.