Inquiry Map - IMMIGRATION
UMass Medical Center ESL Class
Adult Basic Education Program
Quinsigamond Community College
Worcester, Massachusetts
Paula J. Buonomo, Instructor
Spring 1996
The UMass Medical Center ESL Class Inquiry Map Project concentrated on the topic of immigration. Students generated all the questions, and research took many forms. The most exciting research took place in the UMass library computer center where students researched on-line. They also developed a survey for recent immigrants to answer many of their questions.
Students in the class included physicians from foreign countries who are here doing research, spouses of medical personnel, graduate students and members of the Worcester community.
Students were prepared for this project with the "CultureWatch" ESL Video series by Barry Tomalin entitled "Steve Briganti, Ellis Island Restorer". This series was an excellent introduction into immigration at the turn of the century and led to discussions on immigration today.
Questions were developed during two class sessions. They were written on large paper placed on the wall and left there so students could continue to focus on the project. Discussions centered on forming and refining questions.
Students worked in groups and individually to find answers to their questions. Most of the research took place during class time. Some also researched during their own time; excitedly returning to class with more data.
Students benefitted in many ways from this project, but the greatest benefits by far were learning to use the computer as a tool for research and finding ways to learn English on-line. It was a wonderful experience for all the students. Since this project, we have returned to the computer center many times to access information dealing with learning English. The students love it as they each sit at their own terminal (or with a partner), learning at their own pace, exploring what is interesting and exciting for them.
Paula J. Buonomo, Instructor
Below are the students' questions. Where they carried out research (through the class survey or on the Internet) the question is underlined (and is in hypertext.) If you click on the question you will find the results of the students' research. If you would like to add your own answers to any of these questions, or would like to comment on an answer, please email these to DJRosen@world.std.com.
2. How many people immigrate to the U.S. every year and what countries are they from?
3. What are the main reasons why people immigrate here?
5. What kinds of jobs do most immigrants have compared to jobs held in their old country?
6. Which state/area do most immigrants settle in? (Classify answer by country or region)
7. Why do some immigrants go back to their countries?
8. What's the role of religion for the new immigrants?
9. How has the church helped them to settle in the U.S.?
10. What is the biggest problem for second generation immigrants?
11. What is the cultural gap between first and second generations of immigrants?
12. What country/countries to most illegal immigrants come from?
13. How many illegal immigrants come to the U.S. every year?
14. What are the rules and regulations that immigrants must follow?
15. What are the educational levels of immigrants? (Classify by country or region)
16. What is the average age of immigrants?
17. What do American citizens think about immigrants?
18. What are the benefits of immigration to American society today?
19. What are the disadvantages of immigration to American society today?
20. What language do most immigrants use in their homes?
21. What is the criteria to become an American citizen?
Inquiry Map - IMMIGRATION
UMass Medical Center ESL Class
President of the Senate, Robert Dole introduced this bill in the Senate of the United States on January 24, 1995. The bill reads: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase control over immigration to the United States by increasing border patrol and investigator personnel; improving the verification system for employer sanctions; increasing penalties for alien smuggling and for document fraud; reforming asylum, exclusion, and deportation law and procedures; instituting a land border user fee; and to reduce use of welfare by aliens. This act may be cited as the Immigrant Control and Financial Responsibility Act of 1995. revised 5/2/96
2. How many people immigrate to the U.S. every year and what countries are
they from?
The total number of immigrants per year (including illegal immigrants and refugees) nowadays is somewhat less than it was in the peak years at the beginning of the 20th century when U.S. population was less than half as large as it now is. The rate of immigration relative to population size now is low rather than high. Immigration as a proportion of population is about a third of what it was in the peak years. The foreign-born population of the United States is 8.5 percent of the total population (as of 1990). The proportions in the U.S. during the period from before 1850 to 1940 were higher -- always above 13 percent during the entire period from 1860 to 1930 -- and the proportions since the 1940's were lower. Reference
3. What are the main reasons why people immigrate here?
People come to the United States for many different reasons, but mainly for
better opportunities for themselves and their families: better jobs, better
life, to join family, to escape war, and for freedom.
Survey of recent
immigrants
Overwhelmingly, survey results report that recent immigrants have better living
conditions in the United States than in their own country. They cite better
jobs and freedom as the reasons why.
Survey of recent
immigrants
5. What kinds of jobs do most immigrants have compared to jobs held in their
old country?
Most immigrants responded that they now have better jobs with higher pay in the United States, but some reported that in their own countries they had jobs with a higher salary and more prestige until things changed in their country due to political unrest or war. Survey of recent immigrants
6. Which state/area do most immigrants settle in? (Classify answer by country or region)
7. Why do some immigrants go back to their countries?
8. What's the role of religion for the new immigrants?
9. How has the church helped them to settle in the U.S.?
10. What is the biggest problem for second generation immigrants?
Recent immigrants responded to our survey that language and generation/culture gap were the biggest problems for second generation immigrants. Survey of recent immigrants
11. What is the cultural gap between first and second generations of immigrants?
12. What country/countries to most illegal immigrants come from?
13. How many illegal immigrants come to the U.S. every year?
Though the volume of illegal immigration is inherently difficult to estimate, a solid body of research, using a variety of ingenious methods, has now arrived at a consensus: the number of illegals in the U.S. is perhaps 3.2 million, pushed downward by the amnesty of 1987-1988, not very different from a decade before. Many of these persons are transitory. The milion-plus persons who registered for the amnesty verify that the total was and is nowhere near the estimates that often have been given in public discussion. The rate of illegal immigration is agreed by all experts to be about 250,000 to 300,000 per year. More than half of illegal aliens enter legally and overstay their visas and permits. "Less than half of illegal immigrants cross the nation's borders clandestinely. The majority enter legally and overstay their visas". Reference: (Fix and Passel 1994)
14. What are the rules and regulations that immigrants must follow?
15. What are the educational levels of immigrants? (Classify by country or region)
16. What is the average age of immigrants?
17. What do American citizens think about immigrants?
The most recent polls of U.S. residents' opinions show that most persons want less immigration. This is consistent with the consensus of all polls since the first such surveys in the 1940's. There does not seem to be a long-run trend in public opinion opposing immigration. Reference
18. What are the benefits of immigration to American society today?
A poll of the most respected economists found a consensus that both legal and illegal immigrants are beneficial economically. Reference
19. What are the disadvantages of immigration to American society today?
20. What language do most immigrants use in their homes?
Survey results show that most immigrants speak their native language in the home with English spoken occasionally. Survey of recent immigrants
21. What is the criteria to become an American citizen?
Immigration Inquiry Map Survey Questionnaire
Umass Medical Center ESL Class
Please answer the following questions:
1. What was the main reason why you came to the United States?
2. Compare the living conditions in your country to your living conditions in the US.
3. Compare your job in your country to your job in the US.
4. how has the church helped you to settle in the US?
5. What is the biggest problem for second generation immigrants (your children)?
6. What language do you speak at home?