Non Spanish-speaking migration in Chile: Building linguistic and intercultural bridges

Abstract

In Chile, the number of non Spanish-speaking immigrants provides a new social and cultural configuration, particularly regarding the representation of different languages. A case of interest, it is Haitian migration. From the perspective of those who have migrated, the lack of knowledge of Spanish language generates different difficulties to carry out legal procedures, to look for work or to insert themselves in educational contexts; whereas, from the local society, it does not have enough resources to respond to the linguistic demands presented by this population. In this context, the article aims to identify the pedagogical elements that are at the base of a program of intercultural communicative competences through a documentary research. We have considered the teaching of Haitian Creole as a second language directed to public officials who are in the first line of contact with people from Haiti. The results show that the adoption of a language reciprocity approach, the participation of linguistic mediators and an adequate selection of cultural knowledge are essential elements when implementing a program.