Community language education for asylum seekers and refugees: responding to trauma and social integration: case study research in community-based language classes for asylum seekers and refugees based in Northern Ireland and Cyprus

Abstract

In response to the growing asylum seeker and refugee population and reduced governmental funding, many community and volunteer-based organisations have provided nonformal language learning opportunities. However, there remains a void in research and evidence of the impact of community language learning on the social integration of asylum seekers and refugees (Carr, 2014). To confirm the extent of this void, a systematic review was conducted. To explore and evidence the lived experiences of refugee learners, a qualitative approach was taken. This involved in-depth case studies in three community language organisations, two based in Northern Ireland and one in Cyprus. The 28 semi-structured interviews collected underwent content analysis and thematic analysis to draw out meaningful experiences in relation to social integration and trauma responsiveness.

The analysis of the case studies revealed that community organisations responded to the unfulfilled needs of refugee learners by creating accessible and inclusive language education programmes. This created opportunities for asylum seeker and refugee learners to feel accepted, known and fostered a sense of belonging to the community.

Learners grew in confidence, independence, and cultural understanding that reduced loneliness and acculturation stress. The constraints were the limited resources in the community organisations and the influence of trauma and fluctuating mental health, creating isolating tendencies and interfering with engagement. Through cross-case analysis, the case studies evidenced that refugee learners use community language classes as sanctuaries to cope with the ongoing stress, pending asylum claims and adapting to local culture. The case studies evidence how deep relations with compassionate individuals at community initiatives are healing and supportive of trauma recovery through creating restorative pathways to empowerment, connection and rootedness. This research contributes to understanding how community language initiatives become therapeutic spaces for refugees as a safe space to make connections and integrate.

Date of Award	Dec 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Sponsors	Belfast Unemployment Resource Centre
Supervisor	Sarah Miller (Supervisor) & Aisling O'Boyle (Supervisor)