Communicating with English as a Second Language Clientele in the Library - Webinar (07/14/22)

The linguistic and cultural diversity of the U.S. continues to grow, and along with it, the number of speakers of languages that may have been previously uncommon in a community. It’s impractical to expect to have available staff members who are fluent in all the languages spoken by library clientele.

The good news is that translation between languages does not need to be the default method of communication when someone may not have a high enough level of English to express what they need. There are many ways English-speaking staff can modify and adjust their approach to communicating with English as a Second Language clientele and have a better chance at serving the client while reducing frustration on both sides.

This webinar will build upon the guidelines for successful reference interviews. You will leave with awareness of some simple approaches for interacting with clients who speak limited English, including:

Specific ways to modify your speech
How to help clients whose English fluency may shut down when they are frustrated
What to do when verbal communication just isn’t working

Virtual Trainer: Julie Yoder

Julie Yoder is an experienced English language coach based in Washington, DC. She helps international professionals who are working for a better world communicate in English with confidence and eliminate career barriers.

She has worked with English language learners of all ages and backgrounds since 1996 in a variety of roles teaching, training, and coaching, including: developing and delivering in-house business English instruction for multinational companies and think tanks, teaching in university English programs, teaching immigrant children in U.S. public schools, and, since 2007, delivering customized one-to-one tutoring and coaching for international professionals through her company, English With Purpose.

This is an online class. Access information will be emailed one week ahead.

Cost: NEFLIN classes are free of charge for Florida library staff. Registration is required for all classes and NEFLIN members get priority.