Provision of language services, 1985: survey of non-English speakers

This study, which was part of the Review of the Provision of Language Services in Australia, had as its principal aims: the assessment of community needs for language services, access to and knowledge of services and demand levels; the construction of a comprehensive picture of language services currently provided; an investigation of services available in individual areas; the highlighting of duplication and areas where language services were not meeting community needs; and the exploration of options for improvement in language service delivery. This survey is a companion to two other surveys: the survey of language service providers (see SSDA Study No. 592) and the survey of community service providers (see SSDA Study No. 593). Topic areas covered in the survey included: language first spoken; migration information including sponsorship details and place of residence on arrival; ability to speak English on arrival; attendance at language classes and reasons for non-attendance, correspondence courses and private language coaching; role of the media in learning English; availability of printed material in first language; problems in locating accommodation and employment, and other personal problems as a newly arrived migrant; need for and use of interpreting services in the previous twelve months, including reasons for not using services; awareness of interpreting services provided by government agencies; and need for and use of translating services. Background information was collected on country of birth of parents, and respondent's country of birth and citizenship; age; sex; household composition; occupation and industry of respondent and partner; and an interviewer assessment of the respondent's spoken English