Many refugees who come to the UK do not speak English as a first language. Yet they need clear advice and guidance when engaging with the asylum process, which often involves complicated legal advice and the ability to make informed decisions about their future.
Although we’re primarily known for our Easy Read translation services, we also offer bespoke in-person training on language awareness for businesses and other organisations that regularly deal directly with customers who do not use English as their first language.
Based on our previous experience with refugees and asylum seekers, these workshops teach and encourage staff to adopt more effective ways to translate and communicate information to customers who do not use English as their first language, ensuring they receive the support they need – and deserve.
Working with refugees and asylum seekers
Back in 2015, my PhD research explored the barriers that prevented people from accessing clear information during the asylum process in the UK, and I have always been keen to make this research useful for the sector.
While the asylum process can be very stressful for the refugees themselves, the refugee caseworkers, legal advisers, immigration staff, and volunteers also face significant day-to-day challenges when working with clients from multiple backgrounds who speak a range of languages. Making information easier to access would clearly benefit both the refugee and the immigration staff.
Partnering with a colleague at Cardiff University, Dr Judith Reynolds, a lecturer in intercultural communication with a research interest in legal advice work, we designed a half day training course for refugee caseworkers, legal advisers, staff, and volunteers to help raise language awareness, called “Dealing with Language Barriers in Refugee and Asylum Support Work.”
Language awareness training
In 2021, we held the first of a number of half-day workshops for refugee caseworkers, legal advisers, staff, and volunteers. The workshop highlighted effective ways to translate and communicate information to refugees and asylum seekers, ensuring they receive the support they need in this often stressful situation. The training sessions provided an opportunity for participants to consider and discuss language, literacy, and communication issues away from the demands of their busy working days.
In designing the training, we drew on our own research findings and key research in the sector and tailored the training to the day-to-day work of the participants. Topics included:
- Multilingualism: understanding and working with multiple languages.
- Language fluency: recognising varying levels of fluency and how to adapt communication.
- Literacy and documents: simplifying and translating written materials.
- Linguistic discrimination: Identifying and combating bias based on language.
- Impact of workplace norms on communication: adjusting communication styles to be more inclusive.
Practical activities and discussions
Participants engaged in interactive activities and discussions, exploring how these topics related to their professional experiences. This hands-on approach helped increase awareness of language diversity and its practical implications. We also gave participants a resource pack to encourage ongoing self-development.
Feedback proved the training sessions were a real success. Participants appreciated the practical skills and insights they gained, commenting that they felt more confident in how they support refugees and asylum seekers through improved communication.
Find out more
We have subsequently provided similar language awareness training course for numerous other business and organisations.
If you are interested in developing a bespoke training session on language awareness for your staff or volunteers, please get in touch with Katy to discuss your specific needs.
