@techreport{DeVoretz2000Theory,
abstract = {The preponderance of minimal second language acquisition by immigrants worldwide is
striking. This paper proposes a theoretical model, which analyzes the underlying forces that
contribute to this outcome of minimal secondary language acquisition by immigrants in such
diverse immigrant-receiving countries as Canada, Germany, Israel and the United States. It
is argued that the weak incentive structures for second language acquisition for an
immigrant appear in four analytically separate spheres including the labour market, political,
social, and education spheres. Furthermore, two integration regimes are imposed in these
spheres \textendash{} no government interference, or government-mandated minimum language
acquisition after arrival. In all cases and in all spheres, it is argued that, for the majority of
immigrants, the weakest level of second language acquisition \textendash{} minimum oral and minimum
written \textendash{} is the optimal outcome given their incentive structure. In addition, the labour
market is the primary determinant of this outcome. Finally, several policy measures to
increase the incentives for further second language acquisition are explored.},
author = {Don J. DeVoretz and Christiane Werner},
copyright = {http://www.econstor.eu/dspace/Nutzungsbedingungen},
keywords = {J61; J24; 330; Immigration; ethnic Germans; Canada; language acquisition; labour market; integration; assimilation; Migranten; Mehrsprachigkeit; Soziale Integration; Opportunit\"{a}tskosten; Arbeitsmarkt; Theorie; Deutschland; Kanada},
language = {eng},
number = {110},
title = {A Theory of Social Forces and Immigrant Second Language Acquisition},
type = {IZA Discussion paper series},
url = {http://hdl.handle.net/10419/20951},
year = {2000}
}
