A study on educational attainment and career development of second generation immigrants

There are second-generation immigrants across the globe. These people were born in the country one or both parents migrated to. They can face challenges different to those experienced by people whose families are native to a given country. Researchers are working towards the goal of a fairer society and, as such, many are focusing on the plight of immigrants and second generation immigrants. Tomoko Takahashi, Global Education Center, Kindai University, Japan, is a researcher whose current project focuses on the issues facing second generation immigrants when it comes to attaining education and career development. Through her research contributions she hopes to help improve the education of children with foreign roots currently attending Japanese schools. Takahashi worked as an elementary school teacher for several years and started her current project to address the situation in Japan where the Government is not accepting immigrants and doesn’t recognise foreigners residing in Japan as immigrants. She believes there is a lack of awareness, measures and support in educational settings, the workplace and society. By exploring the educational attainment and career development of the second generation, she believes it is possible to clarify the issues facing Japanese society and provide solutions. The project focuses on the children of first-generation Chinese immigrants as they encounter significant challenges relating to education in Japan. As many first-generation Chinese immigrants only speak Chinese, they are unable to help their children with their Japanese homework, give educational advice or effectively communicate with teachers.