The Role of Language Capability in Migration Choice of International Medical Students
Author:Wen Li, Chang Liu, Shenjun Liu,Mingyu He Author Unit: School of International Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China School of Public Affairs & Governance, Silliman University, Dumaguete 6200, Philippines School of literature, Dali University, Dali, China
Abstract：Background: An alarming proportion of healthcare workers from low- and middle-income countries
(LMICs) migrate to foreign countries, especially to high-income countries, to seek employment. The aim of
this study was to explore the role of language capability in migration choice of China-educated international
medical students (IMSs), mainly from LMICs in Asia and Africa. Methods: A questionnaire was delivered
electronically to final-year IMSs at 4 universities in China from June, 2019 to July, 2019. The questionnaire
comprised questions on language capability and migration choices of IMSs. Chi-square test was used to
determine whether participants’ English language proficiency, Chinese language proficiency, and capability
of speaking multi-languages were associated with their migration choices. Results: A total of 202 valid
responses were obtained and 91 (45％) participants showed intention of choosing a foreign country. The
intention of staying outside the home country was associated with the capability of speaking multi-languages
(speaking at least another non-English foreign language apart from Chinese) by IMSs. Higher-level Chinese proficiency certificate holders were more likely to choose China as the destination country. The capability of
speaking a non-English/non-Chinese foreign language did not correspond to the intention of migrating to the
country where this language is spoken. Furthermore, the intention of migrating to a non-English/non-Chinese
speaking foreign country did not correspond to the capability in the language spoken in this foreign country.
Conclusion: The effect of language capability on migration choice of IMSs educated in China was investigated
in this study. The findings indicate that language capability plays some role in IMSs’ migration choice.
However, migration decision-making process is complex and is affected by various factors. Therefore, further
studies should be conducted to explore correlations among factors affecting migration choice of IMSs.
Keywords：Africa; Asia; China; International medical student; Language capability; Low- and middle-income country; Migration
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