Employers

Language learning at work

How can the employer and the workplace support language learning? In addition to providing language training for employees, there are many ways in which language learning can be enhanced at the workplace. Make use of the advice and models with which you can help international employees to develop their language skills at work.

Two people converse at a table with a laptop, notebook, and potted plant in an office or café setting.

Language learning plan

Content:

Editable material for drawing up a language learning plan.
Time:

Preparation 10 min, discussion 10-15 min.
Benefit:

Improvement of language proficiency is integrated into professional development.
People working at a table with notebooks, sticky notes, and a tablet. One holds a purple pen.

Pocketbook for supporting language learning

Content:

Method for learning professional language at the workplace.
Time:

Continuous work and regular discussion of observations.
Benefit:

Links language learning to the employee’s needs and work scenarios. 
Three people collaborating at a table with sticky notes and laptops.

Language workshop

Content:

A workshop to discuss work-related (language) issues and find solutions together.
Time:

For example, 1 hour every other week, with participants writing down observations and questions between sessions.
Benefit:

Employees learn language relevant for their work.
Two women sit at a wooden table with iced drinks in front of them. A window and a potted plant are on the left.

Language mentor

Content:

Operating model for facilitating language issues in the work community.
Time:

Training (e.g. 1 day), working time reserved for facilitation.
Benefit:

Language mentor model supports language learning and increases language awareness in the work community.
A person presenting to a group of people in a meeting room. A screen displays text Työntekijöiden hyvinvointi.

Learning professional language at the workplace

Content:

Video on supporting professional language learning at the workplace.
Time:

Video duration 22 min.
Benefit:

The work community receives concrete methods for supporting language learning.
Two people discussing with sticky notes on a whiteboard in an outdoor setting. The woman is gesturing with her hands.

Tips for supporting Finnish learners

Content:

Tips for conversations with language learners and speaking clearly.
Time:

15 tips with examples.
Benefit:

Native-language employee learns to speak more clearly and to support the language learner in participating in discussions. 
Illustration of two people standing. One person is speaking with hand raised while the other has hands on hips. Desk in background.

Phrases for the break room: booklet and video

Content:

Discussion booklet (and video) with spoken phrases for the language learner and tips for speaking clearly for the native speaker. 
Time:

15 themes, each with 3-4 phrases and a video of roughly a minute in duration (total video duration about 13 minutes); 15 tips for native speakers.
Benefit:

Encourages practising Finnish-language discussions in social situations at the workplace. 
A group of people sitting at a table with laptops and notes by a brick wall in a bright indoor space.

Videos: Encountering a colleague learning Finnish or Swedish

Content:

Three short videos with tips for meeting a language-learning colleague
Time:

2,5 minutes
Benefit:

Colleagues learn to be comfortable with different language skills in interaction situations.
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