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Hello Mike

During the Skills for Life Strategy in the early 2000’s, LLU+ London South Bank University (now Learning Unlimited) developed a two day front-line workers training course focusing on language, literacy and numeracy awareness. We delivered the course many times, including to NHS staff, and always received very positive feedback (often along the lines of ‘we need more of this sort of training!) As you correctly point out, most people are simply unaware of the effect of their language on those they are trying to communicate with. 

Over the past few years Learning Unlimited has run volunteer and befriender training as part of various projects. Some of the materials would be suitable for front-line worker training - see http://www.learningunlimited.co/files/Befriender_Training_Toolkit.pdf 

Best wishes

Judy

Sent from my iPad

On 28 May 2019, at 18:25, Mike Chick <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hi everyone,

A colleague and I recently carried out research on the experience of resettled Syrian families in Wales. 
Although not focused on this issue, one observation from the study was that service providers such as Job Centre staff / health care officials / housing officers etc. were often unaware of how the linguistic choices they made during client - provider meetings ( i.e. idiomatic / colloquial language, cultural references, slang, sarcasm etc.) affected the quality, and thus success, of the interaction.

 I appreciate that intercultural communication is a large field but does anyone know if there are any training modules / guides etc. for staff when dealing with people who are not fluent in English? Or research that has been done in this area?

Equipping such front-line staff with, at the very least, an awareness of their language use would, I reckon, be a great help in many, many situations. 

Thanks for any suggestions - through direct response or on the forum.

Mike




_______________________________________
Dr Mike Chick
Senior lecturer TESOL
University of South Wales / Prifysgol De Cymru
Tel: 01443 482324
[log in to unmask]
http://www.southwales.ac.uk

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*********************************** ESOL-Research is a forum for researchers and practitioners with an interest in research into teaching and learning ESOL. ESOL-Research is managed by James Simpson at the Centre for Language Education Research, School of Education, University of Leeds. To join or leave ESOL-Research, visit http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ESOL-RESEARCH.html To contact the list owner, send an email to [log in to unmask]