The impact of the language barrier on skilled and qualified spouses of immigrant students in Lahti, Finland
Karunaratne, Dinesha (2025)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025060721459
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025060721459
Tiivistelmä
Finland's current socioeconomic environment increasingly relies on hiring foreign talent to offset the growing labour market shortages. Nevertheless, the language barrier creates challenges that adversely affect immigrants’ integration into Finnish society.
This bachelor's thesis aimed to explore the impact of the language barrier on skilled and qualified spouses of immigrant students in Lahti, Finland. It highlights the growing dependency on foreign nationals to mitigate labour deficiencies, and the critical role of language proficiency plays in the integration of these immigrants.
The author employed an inductive content analysis method, which was conducted with a combination of questionnaires and interviews, with the assistance of the local Employment and Economic Development Office and International House Lahti. This facilitated uncovering emerging patterns and trends systematically collected and analysed to address the research question and develop practical recommendations.
The findings revealed significant challenges foreign nationals face due to language barriers in the Finnish labour market, including a lack of language training opportunities, equalisation of previously obtained qualifications to Finnish standards, and intercultural differences. The findings emphasised the critical need for effective language support mechanisms and interventions to ensure the effective integration of qualified spouses into the Finnish labour market, highlighting the importance of strategies like language training and cultural competency programs.
This bachelor's thesis aimed to explore the impact of the language barrier on skilled and qualified spouses of immigrant students in Lahti, Finland. It highlights the growing dependency on foreign nationals to mitigate labour deficiencies, and the critical role of language proficiency plays in the integration of these immigrants.
The author employed an inductive content analysis method, which was conducted with a combination of questionnaires and interviews, with the assistance of the local Employment and Economic Development Office and International House Lahti. This facilitated uncovering emerging patterns and trends systematically collected and analysed to address the research question and develop practical recommendations.
The findings revealed significant challenges foreign nationals face due to language barriers in the Finnish labour market, including a lack of language training opportunities, equalisation of previously obtained qualifications to Finnish standards, and intercultural differences. The findings emphasised the critical need for effective language support mechanisms and interventions to ensure the effective integration of qualified spouses into the Finnish labour market, highlighting the importance of strategies like language training and cultural competency programs.