Employers

Language User Profiles

Language user profiles draw attention to different language learners and language users in the work community, serving as a strong foundation for developing language practices.
Two people sitting at a table with sticky notes, pens, and a notebook, engaging in a collaborative task.
Content:

Model for understanding needs and emotions related to language.

For whom:

The entire work community.

Time:

Getting to know the model: about 15 minutes.

Benefit:

Raises awareness of wishes and circumstances of different language users.

There are a total of eight language user profiles: four profiles describe the attitudes of international employees towards language learning and four describe the attitudes of Finnish-speaking employees towards multilingualism in the workplace. The profiles are not just about personal characteristics, but about the interaction between the individual and the work community. Following this, the profiles emphasise the role of community in the language learning process. 

The profiles enable the work community to approach language and language learning-related wishes, needs and issues, including sensitive ones. Based on the profiles, language discussions can take place, on the basis of which language support and interaction in the workplace can be directed towards inclusivity so that all members of the community feel heard. 

Discussing language user profiles improves work atmosphere. When even the difficult issues are discussed openly, it is easier to build functional behavioural models and foster psychological safety, which is important when learning new languages. Work communities can use these profiles to draw attention to the fears guiding actions and, on the other hand, to discuss factors that motivate people to learn languages and support learners. 

For more information on language learner profiles and other tools for the multilingual work community, please see the Monikielisen työyhteisön opas guide. 

Language profiles of international employees

Language user profiles for international employees.
Image: Jenni Lintumäki. All rights reserved.

International employees have different language proficiency objectives. They also have different language backgrounds, characteristics, and needs, all of which affect their motivation for leaning a new language. In addition, international talents work and live in different linguistic environments, which affects language learning outcomes at work.  

Language user profiles are one way to illustrate this diversity. The profiles are set in a 2x2 matrix to emphasise that language proficiency is affected not only by learner willingness and courage to use the learned language, but the opportunities and support that they receive.  

This 2x2 matrix categorises second language employees into four different profiles according to two dimensions. Firstly, the learner's own characteristics, i.e. the willingness and courage to use the new language, play a key role. The horizontal axis represents this dimension. Secondly, the extent of support and opportunities offered by the work community is crucial. This dimension is represented by the vertical axis.  

The profiles do not describe individuals, and any individual might fit different profiles in different circumstances. At any rate, the profiles are flexible: for example, an individual may shift between profiles in depending on the situation, and fit a completely different profile when using another language. The profiles are not meant for categorising individuals but for recognising different learner types for discussing and improving language issues.   

Language profiles of Finnish-speaking employees 

Language user profiles for Finnish-speaking employees.
Image: Jenni Lintumäki. All rights reserved.

Finnish-speakers also have different wishes and opportunities for language use. The language profiles of Finnish-speaking employees are presented in a 2x2 matrix where the horizontal axis represents the employee’s language attitudes, and the vertical matrix represents the employee’s understanding of their responsibilities and role in supporting their language learner colleague.

The Finnish-speaking employee profiles are useful when developing multilingual communication practices and language support structures that the whole community can commit to. The profiles provide tips on how Finnish speakers could better support their colleagues' language learning at work and how they can process any negative emotions possibly associated with using different languages.

Language user profile video (in Finnish)

In this webinar by Language Boost and Suomen Yrittäjät (1 March 2023), Eveliina Korpela explains language user profiles and their potential uses in a multilingual work community.

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

Language user profiles, 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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