Based on patterns of language use, differences in acculturation experiences were found between Syrian families in Canada and in Germany. In Canada, parents enforced the use of Arabic or Kurdish at home to maintain a common language and preserve their cultural identity. While their children would comply in interactions with their parents, they preferred to use English with their siblings. In Germany, parents favoured Arabic but allowed the use of German at home due to its impact on their children’s education and future. While the older children spoke Arabic at home, the younger children used German; thus, older children often acted as language brokers in the interactions between parents and younger siblings. These differences are related to contextual factors, likely refugees’ sense of security in Canada and insecurity in German, where the approval of residence needs to be renewed after three years.

Interviews with educators revealed that teachers in both countries were not prepared to address the needs of refugee children; they noted that the children lacked basic literacy skills in the majority language, had difficulties focusing, and were overwhelmed by homework, particularly in Germany. Children received homework assistance in small groups in Germany, however children in these groups reported that the groups were too large to be effective and they preferred one-to-one support.