Language a key barrier young refugees must overcome in Canada

It's tough enough to move somewhere new and tougher still when you may still be learning the language.

In Windsor, just like in other parts of Canada, these are key challengers for newcomers who have landed here from other parts of the globe.

The Premier's Council on Youth Opportunities is in the midst of a listening tour that is making a stop in Windsor on Friday afternoon.

The meeting will be focused, in part, on young newcomers and the issues they face in this province.

Cassandra Richardson, the manager of youth programs for Windsor Women Working With Immigrant Women, said a key challenge in many cases is language, particularly for youth who have come here as refugees.

"Obviously, if they are ESL, they struggle with a lot of English language acquisition and particularly if these youth had refugee experiences where they had gaps in their education," she told CBC Radio's Windsor Morning.

Richardson said these come in addition to all of the usual challenges in getting adjusted to a new place.

Lina Chaker, a university student who is a member of the council, said these same youth struggle to find people they can trust to help them "navigate the city" and get settled.

To hear the full discussion from Windsor Morning, use the audio player above or follow this link.