Employers

Language discussions in the work community

Through language discussions, the work community can jointly consider language practices and support for language learning at the workplace.
A man presenting sticky notes on a whiteboard to three seated people. The board has 'TYÖPAIKAN KIELET' written on it.
Content:

Discussion templates to support language discussions in the work community.
For whom:

Discussion chair and the entire work community or team.
Time:

Planning and e.g. 1–1.5 h discussion.
Result:

Overview of the current situation in relation to the theme and a plan for future improvements.
Benefit:

The work community becomes more aware of linguistic issues and commits to developing linguistic practices.

Below are three discussion templates to support language discussions at the workplace. The themes of the language discussions include: Linguistic practices of the work community, Support for language learning, and Language user profiles. 

Select the discussion most appropriate or topical for your work community. You can also have several discussions, for example, as part of the work community development day. 

Language discussions follow a script:

  1. agreeing on discussion language(s)
  2. agreeing on the objectives
  3. introduction to the topic
  4. joint work in pairs or small groups
  5. concluding the discussion: deciding on agreements and actions

Before language discussions 1 and 2: Climbing the steps toward language awareness in the workplace: self-evaluation 

The self-evaluation tool for Climbing the steps toward language awareness in the workplace serves as a basis for future language discussions. Using the survey, determine your work community’s current standing on the steps toward language awareness in the workplace. 

Climbing the steps toward language awareness in the workplace: self-evaluation , pdf, attachment
172.26 K

Language discussion 1: Linguistic practices in the work community

By having this discussion, the work community is made aware of what languages are currently used, and what languages the work community could and would like to use at work. In addition, linguistic challenges in the work community can be brought up, and solutions to how multilingualism and language learning at work could be supported by the community can be discussed.

Linguistic practices in the work community, pdf, attachment
52.23 K

Language discussion 2: Support for language learning

Through this discussion, the work community identifies the best means of supporting Finnish-learners, finds solutions to language learning problems, and identifies practical measures for implementing support for language learning. In addition, everyone identifies their most natural role for learning the language or supporting the learners.

Support for language learning, pdf, attachment
49.27 K

Language discussion 3: Language user profiles

With the help of this discussion, participants understand their role in the language learning process and recognise their wishes, needs and feelings related to language learning and use. The discussion increases acceptance and permissive attitudes towards language learning and making mistakes, and strengthens the psychological safety of the work community.

In preparation for the discussion, study the Language User Profiles.

Language user profiles, pdf, attachment
622.06 K

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

Language discussions in the work community, august 2024, produced by Johanna Komppa, Eveliina Korpela, Lari Kotilainen, Salla Kurhila and Inkeri Lehtimaja, is licensed under a CC-BY Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. The material can be found at kielibuusti.fi. Photos: All rights reserved. 

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Steps toward language awareness in the workplace

Content:

Model for planning language aware practices. 
Time:

As part of developing the organisation's operations, time is reserved for getting to know the model and work community-oriented development. 
Benefit:

Helps set objectives and identify required resources. 
 
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Language User Profiles

Content:

Model for understanding needs and emotions related to language.
Time:

Getting to know the model: about 15 minutes.
Benefit:

Raises awareness of wishes and circumstances of different language users.
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Language solutions for workplaces

Content:

Working in Finnish, English or both? Benefits and disadvantages.
Time:

Reading time approximately 10 minutes.
Benefit:

Raises awareness of how different language solutions affect the work community.
Two people are standing in front of a whiteboard covered with sticky notes in a modern interior setting.

Language strategy 

Content:

Guidelines for drawing up the organisation's language strategy.
Time:

Preparation, implementation and monitoring of the strategy.
Benefit:

Highlights the organisation's objectives and provides a basis for actions. 
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