Immigrant Integration in the United States: The Role of Adult English Language Training
American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
vol. 15,
no. 3, August 2023
(pp. 407-37)
(Complimentary)
Abstract
The ability to speak and understand a host country's primary language is strongly associated with measures of immigrant integration. We estimate the causal effects of English language training for adult immigrants on participants' civic and economic outcomes using randomized enrollment lotteries from a public adult education program in Massachusetts. Participation doubles voter participation and increases annual earnings by $2,400 (56 percent). Increased tax revenue from earnings gains cover program costs over time, generating a 6 percent return for taxpayers. Ours is the first randomized evaluation of adult English language training as a standalone intervention in the United States.Citation
Heller, Blake H., and Kirsten Slungaard Mumma. 2023. "Immigrant Integration in the United States: The Role of Adult English Language Training." American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 15 (3): 407-37. DOI: 10.1257/pol.20210336Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- D72 Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
- H75 State and Local Government: Health; Education; Welfare; Public Pensions
- I21 Analysis of Education
- I26 Returns to Education
- J15 Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
- J24 Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
- J31 Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
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