STANAG 6001 Level 3 – Speaking Task (Discussion): Factors Influencing People to Leave Their Native Countries
Examination Task
There are many reasons why people leave their native countries. Look at the list below. Discuss the following reasons and try to decide which of them is the most and the least frequent nowadays. Be ready to justify your choice.
- Employment
- Cost of living
- Marriage
Sample Discussion
A: People leave their countries for many different reasons. Let’s look at three of them – employment, cost of living and marriage – and decide which is most and least common nowadays. Where should we start?
B: I think we should begin with employment, as it’s one of the most significant factors driving people to leave their countries. Finding a stable, well-paid job is a challenge in many places, and this pushes people to seek opportunities abroad.
A: You’re absolutely right. Employment is a critical issue in Poland right now. Unemployment is rising, and there are fewer and fewer job vacancies. In all Polish regions, there is a noticeable decline in the number of job offers, and competition is high. Young people, graduates, and those with lower qualifications often struggle to find any job. Even when jobs are available, they are often low-paying, or offered on short-term contracts. This lack of financial security and stable job opportunities forces many Poles to seek work abroad. What’s more, the job market doesn’t always reward people with experience and education. Skilled workers, such as IT specialists, engineers, or healthcare professionals, often take the first available job for low pay while looking for another job in the meantime. For financial reasons, people also postpone the decision to have children. This leads to frustration and a sense of wasted potential, pushing them to migrate in search of better prospects.
B: That’s a valid point. Poland’s job market is unstable, with high competition for limited positions. Employers often favour candidates with connections over young, ambitious professionals and set unrealistic expectations in job advertisements. This creates a sense of frustration, and after years of unsuccessful job hunting, it forces many to leave the country.
A: Yes. Some people feel that they have no future in Poland because they send out hundreds of CVs and still can’t find a job. The economy is struggling, companies are cutting jobs due to various costs, such as high taxes, social security contributions, and high energy prices. The lack of transparency in hiring processes makes it even harder for people to find meaningful employment. I think that the Polish labour migration has changed significantly over the years. In the past, Poles mainly took up manual labour jobs abroad, but today, more and more qualified specialists are in high demand. This is why agencies and job placement services abroad have become so popular. Some also work in international organizations.
B: Yes, it’s true. Many countries, such as Germany, the Netherlands, and the Nordic countries, offer higher wages, better job stability, and more opportunities for career growth. Poles most commonly work in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, hospitality, and catering, with Germany and the Netherlands being the most popular destinations for Polish workers.
A: Now, let’s talk about cost of living. I think this is another major reason for migration. High prices of food, energy, rent, and housing purchases make life in Poland expensive. Many people feel that their salaries don’t keep up with the rising costs, so they look for better opportunities abroad. For example, in countries like Germany, Norway or Switzerland, wages are much higher, and the standard of living is better. Even though moving abroad involves challenges, the financial benefits can be significant.
B: That’s a good point. High living costs definitely push people to leave. But I still think that employment is the most important factor in deciding to leave the country. People don’t just move because of high costs – they move because they can’t find a job or because their current job doesn’t pay enough to cover those costs.
A: And what about marriage? Do you think it’s a common reason for migration?
B: I don’t think marriage is as frequent a reason as lack of employment or hight cost of living. While it’s true that some Poles move abroad to be with their partners, marriage is rarely the primary reason for leaving the country. It’s more of a personal choice. Most Poles who migrate do so for economic reasons, not because of marriage. Marriage might be a factor for a small group, but it’s not a major driver of large-scale migration.
A: I agree. Marriage might be a factor for some individuals, but it’s not a widespread reason compared to employment or cost of living.
B: So, to summarize, employment seems to be the most frequent reason for migration today. It’s driven by the lack of jobs, low wages, and high living costs in Poland. Cost of living is also important, but it’s often linked to employment – people move because they can’t afford to stay. Marriage, on the other hand, is the least frequent reason.
A: Yes, that makes sense. Employment is the most common reason, followed by cost of living, and marriage is the least common.