Nov 5, 2014

Good evening everyone,

It is an honor for me to share with you my thoughts and reflections on Doc for

Change program.

My name is Khaled Islaih. Like other immigrants in Canada, I wear different hats

to cope with the challenges the Canadian workplace complexity. Currently, I work as an

Arabic interpreter, Medical interpreting instructor at Gleneden School of Translation, and

a doctoral student at OISE / University of Toronto. In previous years, I worked a

settlement worker for Arabic speaking families, Web rater for Arabic websites, and

newcomer language training manager. The common factor in work experiences in

Canada is passion for language.

I decided to join Docs for Change program to share my fascination and passion

for language with the world. I wanted to share controversies of immigrant languages,

and experiences with other people and groups. I always wanted to raise awareness

about immigration, multilingualism and language use the under prevailing neoliberal

ideologies. I want to bring attention the hidden linguistic discrimination within

workplaces and communities. What I mean by linguistic discrimination is a condition

where one dominant language is treated as the language of the modern world and

progress, while other minority languages are treated as inferior and not suitable for

knowledge and social functioning. I saw this linguistic discrimination in my work within

language training for newcomers to Canada. In ESL classes, I saw how the

Englishization of language learning leads to disengagement and frustration among

immigrant learners. In my work as a community interpreter, I see how of Englishization

of the human body in the healthcare system is not always helpful for immigrant and

refugee patients.

Thanks for Docs for Change program! As you will see from our short

documentary “Different Vision for Life” it has provided us in our team with documentary

and storytelling skills to share our perspectives on immigration and language issues

within our society. Furthermore, Docs for Change has given us the confidence and

competence to use the power of social documentary to facilitate social impact in the

world around us.

By watching and discussing documentaries with film makers over the last six

months, I personally learned important educational media strategies to engage adult

learners. In other words, Docs for Change has also impacted my everyday work as an

interpreter and adult educator. For example, in my work as interpreting trainer at

Glendon School of Translation / York University I rely on videos to explain the nuances

of interpreting encounters to students.

In social terms, I believe this innovative program will have significant impact on

immigrant communities. It brings attention to role of media in immigrant settlement and

community engagement. It helps immigrants reclaim their voices and stories. Building

media literacy among immigrant families should be incorporated in settlement

programs. Multilingual media and documentary will give immigrants and newcomers a

platform to share their knowledge, perspectives and stories with other fellow Canadians.

At the same time, it will give fellow Canadians the opportunity to hear immigrant voices

directly from immigrants themselves. As digital media continues to disrupt the world

around us, media literacy facilitated by Docs for Change is expected to help us re-

imagine ourselves and our humanity.

As we look forward to the second year in our program, I would like to learn new

skills in social documentary and how to use it to engage people communities and

enable social change.

Finally, I want to thank my Docs for Change fellows for sharing their stories and

experiences. I also would like to thank Docs for Change team from MCIS.

Thank you Latha, thank you Eliana, Big thank you Documentary Institute team.

Thank you Lalita, thank you Vinita, and thank yopu Adam. I am grateful! Thank you all.