Chalmers and Byrne Training News

Jargonbusters

2012-01-04T15:19:00.000Z

For people involved in charity fundraising or management, the first edition of Jargonbusters is a great resource. It aims to define and explain many different terms used by charities and community groups, such as aims and objectives, mission, indicators.

Here is the link (click on it) for Jargonbusters.

English only in the workplace

2011-09-19T20:17:00.000+01:00

Workers at a Waterstone’s Distribution Centre in Burton upon Trent are petitioning bosses against a new requirement to speak only English during working hours. They have accused bosses of discrimination and human rights infringements. The policy does not cover breaks, when workers are free to talk in their native languages.

It is an interesting study in the feelings that can surround a language barrier. The management claim that the English-speaking workers feel marginalised or isolated. They also say that if half of the workforce are speaking one language and the other half speaking another, this is divisive and does not aid teamwork.

My own research shows that English speaking staff don't always adapt their language for colleagues who are proficient - but not fluent - in English. Maybe the native English speakers really aren't aware of the slang that they use or the fact that they're talking quickly. This can discourage colleagues who are trying to learn English and use it at work.

Learn English or lose benefits

2011-09-19T20:11:00.000+01:00

David Cameron announced last week that people claiming jobseeker's allowance who do not learn English will lose some benefits. I hope the JobCentre advisors will be given training on how to assess English skills in order to be able to refer them to an appropriate course. It can't be done in a short interview. At least the government has restored funding for ESOL classes for everyone on benefits.

Census Question - What is your main language?

2011-03-30T15:31:00.002+01:00

Interesting to see that the recent census collected information on proficiency in language for the first time. If you stated that your main language is not English, you then had to rate your ability in English. To the question "How well can you speak English?" you could rate your level 'Very well', 'well', 'not well' or 'not at all'. The Office for National Statistics says the data will help them "identify the number of people who might need additional help when accessing or using public services." We look forward to seeing the results. We should note though that rating your proficiency in another language is very subjective. People have a tendency to be modest about their level sometimes saying they can't speak English when in fact they can. This can be because they think their English is basic and don't want someone speaking to them as if they are fluent.

Lord Sugar approves Chalmers & Byrne techniques

2010-12-02T14:54:00.002Z

If you had been watching 'The Apprentice' last week you may have thought that Lord Sugar had been on a Chalmers & Byrne Training course.

When 'Apprentice' hopeful Laura failed to slow down when talking to a German businessman, Lord Sugar bemoaned her lack of 'export English'. This, as those of you who have been on our training will know, is the art of 'chunking'!

Interestingly, when her colleague Stuart pointed this out to her after the meeting with the businessman, she said she hadn't been talking quickly! It just goes to show people often have a lack of awareness as to how fast they do talk.

Milton Keynes increases number of translators

2010-05-26T13:08:00.004+01:00

The Community Language Service of Milton Keynes has been in the news this week. The number of translators has increased from 20 in 2000, to 300 in 2010. The service now offers translation in 84 languages rather than the original 12.

Gloria Drew, co-ordinator of the service said that the nature of users had changed significantly over the years. She said "When we first started we were helping those who were highly educated with professional jobs such as doctors. Now their relatives have arrived and they are not as highly educated and need our help more."

New languages that have been added to the service include Twi (the second largest language in Ghana) and Yoruba (used in Nigeria). By the end of the year they plan to add Pashto, an Afghan language.

Interpreters have a six day training assessment when they learn all the terminology for social services, health and housing.

Baby death leads to review

2010-04-21T11:45:00.002+01:00

A case review has been ordered into the death of a seriously malnourished baby boy in London despite the involvement of nine different health professionals. The boy was found dead in a flat in March. Two days later, his mother, who was HIV positive, died in hospital.

The baby was not considered to be at risk by social services. At least some of the problem seems to be that the Eritrean mother refused an interpreter in January because she was afraid that members of her own community might find out about her HIV status.

"It is something we have to tackle regularly," Lisa Power, policy officer of the Terence Higgins Trust said. "People absolutely fear that if anybody from their own community knows, that information will go around and they will be excluded from that community."

Call for simpler language in run-up to the election

2010-04-21T11:33:00.002+01:00

Su Sayer, Chief Executive of United Response, has called for less jargon, simpler language and better use of visual aids in the run-up to the election. The organisation, (which supports people with learning disabilities and mental health needs), says simpler language will help these groups to understand politics. She said that these groups find politics complex and alienating, but as voting citizens they have the right to understand the issues.

Police advised against "evenin' all" greeting

2009-11-04T08:42:00.003Z

A Warwickshire Police handbook called "Policing Our Communities" hit the headlines this week. It gives advice on 'Communication - some do's and dont's' when engaging with people from other community groups.'

It may be some time since any police officer, with a dipping of the knees, greeted someone with 'Evenin' all', but the handbook advises against it. It points out that different cultures and nationalities may think of evening as earlier, or later, than we do. The handbook says that evening is usually associated with the evening meal which varies in time depending on your culture.

New Training Day Date January 2010

2009-11-04T08:40:00.001Z

Chalmers & Byrne will be delivering one of our training days in Chelmsford, Essex in January on 20th January 2010. We will be posting details on our home page soon.

Translation firm seeks 'fluent Glaswegian interpreters'

2009-10-19T18:27:00.002+01:00

This news item caught our eye last week. A London firm placed an ad in The Herald looking for 'speakers of "Glaswegian English" with knowledge of vocabulary, accent and nuances, to meet interpreting needs of clients who find it an unexpected challenge.'

I guess it proves that the rich variations in regional accents and slang throughout the UK can be difficult for people who don't speak fluent English - especially if the have not been exposed to it much. The translation company says it has had requests from visiting foreign business people for Glaswegian translators.

Earlier this year a bus driver was recognised for teaching his Eastern European Colleagues to understand Glaswegian slang. James Lillis said "When new employees come to Scotland and hear the Glasgow accent, it can be a problem. Drivers have to learn to understand what is meant when a customer says, for example, 'Gie us an aw day tae the toon' (Give me an all day ticket to the town)."

New Trainer at Chalmers & Byrne

2009-10-19T18:19:00.003+01:00

We have started training up secondary school teacher Liz Hickey to deliver our Lowering Language Barriers sessions. For the moment she will be working alongside Clare while she learns the ropes.

Liz is perfect for the job. She is a qualified secondary school teacher of French and German, and also speaks Italian fluently. She has experience of living abroad in both France and Italy. She has also had experience in 'training the trainers' as she trains teachers in the new secondary school French curriculum.

Report into GP practices recommends Chalmers & Byrne training

2009-06-10T10:15:00.002+01:00

Chalmers & Byrne Training was recently recommended by a report from the University of Chichester. The report studied a GP practice in Bognor Regis with a significant number of non-fluent English speakers.

The study, by Klaudia Furmanek, found that people who spoke English as a second language did not access all the practice services, and did not know about the out of hours and emergency care. The use of family translators was widespread, and reception staff had no help in dealing with non-fluent speakers.

The report recommended more translation services at reception, as well as better staff training - in particular of the type provided by Chalmers & Byrne Training.

Coincidentally Chalmers & Byrne will deliver its first training to GP receptionists later this month.

London Training Day April 1st 2009

2009-01-28T09:15:00.003Z

Our London Training Day will be on April 1st 2009 at The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health near London Bridge. We will be booking more dates in the future, so if you are interested but cannot make that date, then email us and we will put you on our mailing list for future dates.

London Date

2008-12-10T15:46:00.002Z

We will shortly be announcing a London date for our Lowering Language Barriers course so watch this space.

We think we have found the right venue but if you know of a London venue that would be suitable for up to 15 people, with some extra space for variety, we would love to hear from you.

Booking For February Course

2008-11-12T19:27:00.004Z

Following the success of our Lowering Language Barriers course in Sussex on 26th November we are now taking bookings for another course on February 4th 2009 at the same venue.

The Blagdons Manor venue worked well giving us lots of room to spread out in when doing some of the exercises. The group came from different working backgrounds including social workers, careers advisers, a housing assistant, a foster carer and even a former hostage negotiator!

Feedback included:
" Everyone was encouraged to get involved without any pressure - supportive and sympathetic environment created by the trainers."

"This was one of the few courses that delivered what it promised."

"It links the ideas and techniques that can be used with all clients.....thank you for an interesting day!"

If you would like to book for the course in February then email Katy@chalmersbyrne.co.uk.

Understanding Medical Jargon

2008-10-06T12:39:00.001+01:00

Problems understanding medical jargon can prove especially confusing for minority ethnic groups, according to new research.

The study, by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), into communication between health professionals and Britain’s Bangladeshi community found serious misunderstandings about genetic disorders in pregnancy.

Understanding the distinction between being "affected" and being a "carrier" of certain genetic disorders proved difficult and led to confusion over whether to terminate pregnancies.

Earlier studies have found that similar confusions are common among the general public, but the difficulties of translation can make minority groups, such as Bangladeshis, especially vulnerable to such misunderstandings.

Medical information that there was a 75 % chance of a child not being affected by a condition was interpreted to mean that the child would be 75% normal, researchers found. Women with limited English often depended on family members to interpret what they were told by consultants and the use of interpreters could be problematic because there was not always an appropriate translation for medical terms.