Integration work as a situated communicative practice: Assuming, establishing and modifying cultural differences

The background of this research relates to migration movements and the pervasive challenges they raise in terms of integration. The empirical case is a social program for integration in Sweden, called Civic Orientation, which is arranged by the municipalities and aims to promote integration by engaging in reflection through dialogue. The study is based on video-recorded interactions between integration workers and immigrants as they discuss fundamental rights, obligations and democratic values introduced through a standardised material. Analytically, we focus on whether and how mutual accommodation can be established in these dialogues, and through what discursive means this is achieved. We found that references to time and location are prominent discursive means in these interactions. However, we also noted that they could be used in flexible ways; when assuming, establishing and modifying cultural differences in interaction. We illuminate the special role of the integration worker, which is key to how such dialogues unfold.