Migration, Language, and Policy Discourse

Understanding the inner workings of language policy for migration can seem daunting at first. This book helps to demystify the process. It is the first of its kind to open the ‘black box’ of policymaking in Europe speaking directly with policymakers and language testers from different political parties, ministries, departments, and institutions. The research reveals the under-researched and hard to recruit voices missing from the debate over language policy. Ultimately it offers a clear and accessible guide on how policy is made and straightforward guidance on applying this knowledge in practice.This study presents a road map for doing in-depth thematic and discourse analysis and is a ground-breaking work based on cutting-edge conceptual frameworks and theoretical advancements. The book is based on the thesis that won the 2026 Jacqueline Ross TOEFL Dissertation Award. It is a must-read for graduate students, researchers, classroom teachers, language test providers, and policymakers whose language-related decisions impact who may enter and reside in a country.