Language mentor

A language mentor is an employee responsible for linguistic matters. Colleagues may contact the language mentor with questions relating to language learning and use.
Kuvituskuva
Content:

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

A Language mentor should be an employee who is interested in language and has advanced skills in the language. Language-learning employees and the entire work community also participate in the activities.
Time:

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

The working language is Finnish or Swedish, and the work community includes several employees whose language skills are limited.
Benefit:

Language mentor model supports language learning and increases language awareness in the work community.

A language mentor is the resident language coordinator of the work community tasked with raising awareness of language issues in the work community

Appointing a language mentor is a concrete way to improve opportunities for participation and finding chances for language learning in the everyday life of the workplace. The Language mentor encourages and guides the entire work community in receiving and orientating new employees.   

In the everyday life at the workplace, the Language mentor: 

  1. Supports the work community in language-aware working. 
  2. Develops language support at the workplace with the support of management. 
  3. Improves well-being and general atmosphere at work. 
  4. Promotes language-aware work practices. 
  5. Designs operating models and instructions. 
  6. Provides language support during discussion and oral situations. 
  7. Provides language support in reporting and other written tasks. 
  8. Raises awareness of linguistic issues, language used in the work community, and communication practices. 
  9. Familiarises new employees and interns with the language strategy. 

Language mentor training

The Language mentor model has been developed especially in Sweden in working with the elderly. The Språkombud language mentor training has been adopted in Sweden. 

In Finland, Language mentor training is organised by Taitotalo (2024).

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. 
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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. 
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Content:

Kolme lyhyttä videota, joissa vinkkejä kieltä oppivan työtoverin kohtaamiseen
Time:

Yhteensä 2,5 minuuttia
Benefit:

Työyhteisön jäsenet oppivat suhtautumaan luontevasti erilaisiin kielitaitoihin vuorovaikutustilanteissa
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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. 

©2024 Johanna Komppa, Eveliina Korpela, Lari Kotilainen, Salla Kurhila ja Inkeri Lehtimaja

Kielimentori, elokuu 2024, jonka tekijät ovat Johanna Komppa, Eveliina Korpela, Lari Kotilainen, Salla Kurhila ja Inkeri Lehtimaja, on lisensoitu Creative Commons Nimeä 4.0 Kansainvälinen -lisenssillä. Materiaali on saatavilla osoitteessa kielibuusti.fi.

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