View in EDS

English Proficiency Barriers in Brazil: Communication Challenges among International Students and Professionals

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: English Proficiency Barriers in Brazil: Communication Challenges among International Students and Professionals
Language: English
Authors: Femi Olajide-Owoyomi
Source: Journal of International Students. 2025 15(12):177-191.
Availability: Journal of International Students. 4005 Spurgeon Drive #6, Monroe, LA 71203. Tel: 318-600-5743; Fax: 318-342-3131; e-mail: jis@ojed.org; Web site: https://www.ojed.org/index.php/jis/index
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Elementary School Students, College Students, Health Personnel, Allied Health Personnel, Language Proficiency, Barriers, Foreign Students, Foreign Nationals, Language Attitudes, Communication (Thought Transfer), Language Role, Scientific Research, Researchers, Social Experience
Geographic Terms: Brazil
ISSN: 2162-3104
2166-3750
Abstract: This study examines the challenges of English language proficiency faced by international students and professionals living in Brazil, highlighting the communication barriers that hinder academic, professional, and social integration. Using survey data collected from 200 participants in São José dos Campos--including primary school learners, university science students, hospital staff, and visiting scholars--the research investigates English proficiency levels, language-learning attitudes, and daily communication experiences across diverse demographic groups. Findings show that 80% of respondents reported having no English proficiency, and among the remaining 20%, only 15% expressed confidence in their skills. For international students and professionals, limited English proficiency in the surrounding community created substantial challenges when navigating daily life, accessing services, socializing, and seeking assistance. These barriers were most acute during the first year of residence, when limited Portuguese proficiency further compounded communication difficulties. The study underscores the need for targeted language-support initiatives, community-based integration programs, and institutional strategies to facilitate more effective communication for international populations in Brazil. Strengthening language support will enhance academic success, workplace effectiveness, and social inclusion for international students and skilled professionals. [Note: The page range (177-192) shown in the citation on the PDF is incorrect. The correct page range is 177-191.]
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1492251
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
CustomLinks:
  – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1492251
    Name: ERIC Full Text
    Category: fullText
    Text: Full Text from ERIC
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1492251
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: English Proficiency Barriers in Brazil: Communication Challenges among International Students and Professionals
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Femi+Olajide-Owoyomi%22">Femi Olajide-Owoyomi</searchLink>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+International+Students%22"><i>Journal of International Students</i></searchLink>. 2025 15(12):177-191.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: Journal of International Students. 4005 Spurgeon Drive #6, Monroe, LA 71203. Tel: 318-600-5743; Fax: 318-342-3131; e-mail: jis@ojed.org; Web site: https://www.ojed.org/index.php/jis/index
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 15
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2025
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Education%22">Elementary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22English+%28Second+Language%29%22">English (Second Language)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Learning%22">Second Language Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Students%22">Elementary School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Health+Personnel%22">Health Personnel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Allied+Health+Personnel%22">Allied Health Personnel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Proficiency%22">Language Proficiency</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Students%22">Foreign Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Nationals%22">Foreign Nationals</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Attitudes%22">Language Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communication+%28Thought+Transfer%29%22">Communication (Thought Transfer)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Role%22">Language Role</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Scientific+Research%22">Scientific Research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Researchers%22">Researchers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Experience%22">Social Experience</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Brazil%22">Brazil</searchLink>
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2162-3104<br />2166-3750
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study examines the challenges of English language proficiency faced by international students and professionals living in Brazil, highlighting the communication barriers that hinder academic, professional, and social integration. Using survey data collected from 200 participants in São José dos Campos--including primary school learners, university science students, hospital staff, and visiting scholars--the research investigates English proficiency levels, language-learning attitudes, and daily communication experiences across diverse demographic groups. Findings show that 80% of respondents reported having no English proficiency, and among the remaining 20%, only 15% expressed confidence in their skills. For international students and professionals, limited English proficiency in the surrounding community created substantial challenges when navigating daily life, accessing services, socializing, and seeking assistance. These barriers were most acute during the first year of residence, when limited Portuguese proficiency further compounded communication difficulties. The study underscores the need for targeted language-support initiatives, community-based integration programs, and institutional strategies to facilitate more effective communication for international populations in Brazil. Strengthening language support will enhance academic success, workplace effectiveness, and social inclusion for international students and skilled professionals. [Note: The page range (177-192) shown in the citation on the PDF is incorrect. The correct page range is 177-191.]
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1492251
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1492251
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 15
        StartPage: 177
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: English (Second Language)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Second Language Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Health Personnel
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Allied Health Personnel
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Language Proficiency
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Barriers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Nationals
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Language Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Communication (Thought Transfer)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Language Role
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Scientific Research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Researchers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social Experience
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Brazil
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: English Proficiency Barriers in Brazil: Communication Challenges among International Students and Professionals
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Femi Olajide-Owoyomi
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2025
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 2162-3104
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 2166-3750
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 15
            – Type: issue
              Value: 12
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Journal of International Students
              Type: main
ResultId 1