Visible Voices

This SSHRC-funded project highlights the vital contributions of marginalized populations in Canada, particularly undocumented immigrants, while addressing their often-overlooked challenges. Despite their significant role in society, these individuals face barriers to accessing English language instruction, which is crucial for integrating into the community and pursuing legal status. While federal programs provide language training for new immigrants, undocumented individuals are ineligible, leaving them without essential skills for accessing services like immigration, healthcare, and employment.

The Visible Voices project collaborates with the FCJ Refugee Centre in Toronto, where a significant portion of Canada’s undocumented population resides. This initiative aims to tackle the challenges faced by the FCJ, including a lack of qualified volunteer English teachers and the slow progress of language acquisition among participants. Drawing on the framework of socially just language education and plurilingualism, Visible Voices seeks to empower undocumented immigrants by amplifying their experiences, enhancing their English language skills, and promoting awareness within the broader community.

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