The effect of language learning on the resilience and integration of Syrian refugees in Türkiye

The study aimed to examine the effect of language learning on the resilience of Syrian refugees in Türkiye and their ability to integrate with the host community. A mixed-methods research approach was used. 218 Syrian refugees participated in the study. First, the quantitative method was used by administering the CD-RISC-25 questionnaire to measure the refugees' resilience. The correlation between resilience and language proficiency in English and Turkish was analysed. The relation between gender groups of refugees, employment, and study status on the one hand and resilience level on the other was also analysed. The correlation between the number of years refugees spent in Türkiye and resilience level was also examined. Then the qualitative method was used. 13 out of 218 Syrian refugees participated in the qualitative data collection through a semi-structured interview. Content analysis was used to analyse the effect of language learning on boosting refugees' resilience and accelerating their integration with the host community. As a result of the quantitative data analysis, there was a statistical correlation between English language proficiency and resilience. There was also a statistically significant difference between gender groups of refugees and resilience levels. On the other hand, there was no statistically significant correlation between Turkish language proficiency and resilience. There was no statistically significant relationship between refugees' employment and study status on the one hand and their resilience level on the other. There was also no statistically significant correlation between the number of years refugees spent in Türkiye and their resilience level. The qualitative results show that language learning, mainly English and Turkish, is significant in boosting the refugees' resilience and accelerating their integration. It was also proved to be a vital tool for accessing jobs and education, future planning, and local and global communication. The study concluded that language learning in the refugee context is crucial in building refugees' resilience. Language learning is also a primary tool for accelerating refugee integration with the host community in Türkiye