Italian Immigrant Women and Literacy: A Case Study

The author undertook a qualitative study exploring why Italian immigrant women enroll in an English as a second language (ESL) literacy program. She outlines the sociocultural and psychosocial effects of the course on the women, and the views of the instructor on issues pertaining to the course and to Italian immigrant women. The author found that personal development and personal independence, communication with immediate and extended family, social interaction, and the acquisition of literacy skills are the fundamental reasons why these women enroll in a literacy program. She notes several positive effects of the literacy program. These range from an increase in functional skills to an improvement in self-confidence. Communication with grandchildren and family members was facilitated by the women's English literacy acquisition. The isolation that they may have felt at home was also diminished. The instructor also noted a strong need for social interaction among the women.

Master's Thesis

Concordia University

Montreal

2001

xi-103p.

en