Immigration, Adult Education and Multiculturalism in Australia.

Overview & Synopsis

The study described in this report reviews adult education relevant to immigration and multiculturalism in Australia. The report is presented in three parts. The first part examines the background and context of adult education programs intended for immigrants and for a multicultural society. The first of two chapters presents the historical and social background of immigration policies and practices since World War II, and the second chapter sketches the development of adult education within this context. The central part of the report, containing six chapters, reviews the main programs and practices of adult education for immigrants and for a multicultural society. Chapter 3 examines on-arrival and ongoing programs; chapter 4 describes the programs and approaches within technical and further education in New South Wales. Chapter 5 contains an account of relevant work in universities and colleges, especially concerning English as a second language. The next chapter looks at efforts toward the enrichment of knowledge in a multicultural society for both non-English speaking and Anglo-Celtic groups. Chapter 7 looks at the severe problems confronting those with overseas qualifications who are seeking recognition and the right to practice in Australia. Finally, adult education intended to change attitudes is analyzed in chapter 8. The third part of the report discusses meanings, perceptions, attitudes and responses concerning multiculturalism in chapter 9, as a lead-in to more specific issues as they affect education. Chapter 10 is a case study of Vietnamese people in Sydney. The concluding chapter draws together the implications of the report. (KC)