ERIC Number: EJ1464524
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0013-1911
EISSN: EISSN-1465-3397
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Unveiling Voices and Narratives: Exploring the Perspectives on Multiculturalism and Bilingualism of Recent Adult Chinese Immigrants in Canada
Xingtan Cao1,2
Educational Review, v77 n2 p618-639 2025
Multiculturalism, a federal policy that emphasises cultural, social, and political rights for ethnic minorities in Canada, is a crucial aspect of immigrant life. Concurrently with the implementation of multiculturalism by the federal government, Canada adopted bilingualism as its official language policy. Although the primary motivation for this policy was to protect the French language and culture, it holds significant relevance for immigrants, especially those residing in Francophone-dominant areas such as Quebec. Despite the importance of these policies to immigrant life, few studies have explored immigrants' perspectives on both federal policies. Addressing this gap, the present study examines the lived experiences of six adult Chinese immigrants who arrived in Canada and obtained permanent residency or Canadian citizenship after 2010. Through narrative inquiry, this research shares participants' stories to explore how recent adult Chinese immigrants understand Canadian multiculturalism and bilingualism. Taking a critical stance on multiculturalism and bilingualism, this study examines, discusses and interprets the lived experiences of its participants with the goal to confront issues of inequality, privilege, and power dynamics. The findings reveal that Chinese immigrants' understanding of multiculturalism and bilingualism is shaped by their personal experiences with both policies. Participants leverage their experiential knowledge of multiculturalism and bilingualism to navigate their new lives in Canada. Although participants voice some concerns about these policies, they also presented nuanced perspectives and opinions on both federal policies. These perspectives not only enrich the literature on Canadian multiculturalism and bilingualism, but also highlight Chinese immigrants' desire for integration in Canada.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Immigrants, Asians, Bilingualism, Cultural Pluralism, Adults, Federal Legislation, Attitudes
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1School of Foreign Studies, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi'An, People’s Republic of China; 2Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada