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Does ad hoc language training improve the economic integration of refugees? Evidence from Germany's response to the Syrian refugee crisis

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  • Marbach, Moritz
  • Vallizadeh, Ehsan
  • Harder, Niklas
  • Hangartner, Dominik
  • Hainmueller, Jens

Abstract

Given the global displacement crisis, the integration of refugees has emerged as a critical policy issue for many host countries. A key challenge involves supporting refugees in learning the language of their host country. While several European nations have instituted publicly funded language training for asylum seekers and refugees soon after their arrival, evidence on the efficacy of these early language programmes in promoting economic integration remains limited. This study examines the impact of a pioneering, large-scale ad hoc programme introduced by German policymakers, which provided basic language training to over 230,000 refugees arriving in 2015–2016. Utilizing register data on the population of asylum seekers and exploiting a cut-off date in programme eligibility, we assess the programme’s effectiveness using a regression discontinuity design. Our findings reveal no discernible effect on refugee employment over the subsequent 2 years. To explore whether language programmes are generally ineffective during refugee crises, we contrast these results with the impacts of a more comprehensive, preexisting, yet smaller-scale programme. Using a variety of difference-in-differences estimators, we find that this programme considerably increased refugee employment. These contrasting findings offer important insights for policymakers on designing effective language training programmes for refugees.

Suggested Citation

  • Marbach, Moritz & Vallizadeh, Ehsan & Harder, Niklas & Hangartner, Dominik & Hainmueller, Jens, 2025. "Does ad hoc language training improve the economic integration of refugees? Evidence from Germany's response to the Syrian refugee crisis," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 126883, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
  • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:126883
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/126883/
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Elisabeth Liebau & Diana Schacht, 2016. "Language Acquisition: Refugees Nearly Achieve Proficiency Level of Other Migrants," DIW Economic Bulletin, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 6(34/35), pages 400-406.
    3. Christian Dustmann & Francesca Fabbri, 2003. "Language proficiency and labour market performance of immigrants in the UK," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 113(489), pages 695-717, July.
    4. Elisabeth Liebau & Diana Schacht, 2016. "Language Acquisition: Refugees Nearly Achieve Proficiency Level of Other Migrants," DIW Economic Bulletin, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 6(34/35), pages 400-406.
    5. Victoria A. Schlaudt & Rahel Bosson & Monnica T. Williams & Benjamin German & Lisa M. Hooper & Virginia Frazier & Ruth Carrico & Julio Ramirez, 2020. "Traumatic Experiences and Mental Health Risk for Refugees," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-10, March.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Immigrant integration; Refugee language training programme; Regression discontinuity design;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C1 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General

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