How can you make safety training more accessible to non-native English speakers?
Safety training is essential for any workplace, but it can be challenging to deliver it effectively to non-native English speakers. Language barriers can affect comprehension, engagement, and retention of important information. How can you make safety training more accessible to non-native English speakers? Here are some tips to help you design and deliver inclusive and effective safety training.
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Adam Beck CFBM. MIH. MIHILeading F&B Director Middle East | Studying Doctorate of Business Administration | Guest Lecturer | Panelist | (MIHI)…
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Samir KumarTop Leadership Voice on LinkedIN 💡l General Manager-Sales at Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal India | Marketing…
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Fabricio MaiaInstrutor Técnico SESI - Saúde e Segurança
Before you create or choose your safety training materials, you need to assess the language needs of your audience. You can use surveys, interviews, or tests to determine the level of English proficiency, the preferred learning styles, and the cultural backgrounds of your trainees. This will help you tailor your content, format, and delivery methods to suit their needs and preferences.
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To make training more accessible to non-native speakers of the language, using resources that are culturally relevant to them is very helpful. From videos, songs, and various forms of art, assisting with familiar images and sounds helps our brain better associate the new language with the prior knowledge we already possess.
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In my experience to aid in safety, for all, pictures, help and document or testing done in the employees preferred language. Showing the employees exactly where they can go to get what they need helps as well.
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Tornar o treinamento de segurança mais acessível para falantes não nativos de inglês é uma prática importante para garantir que as informações críticas sejam obtidas de maneira eficaz. Aqui estão algumas estratégias que podem ser úteis: 1. **Tradução:** - Ofereça material de treinamento em vários idiomas relevantes para os colaboradores. --se de que as traduções sejam precisas e culturalmente sensíveis. 2. **Simplicidade na Linguagem:**
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Create training materials in various languages commonly spoken by your workforce. This can include safety manuals, brochures, and handouts. Ensure accurate translations with the help of professional language services to guarantee clarity and eliminate potential misinterpretations.
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One of the easiest ways to make training content more accessible is to convert all content to Simplified English. Simplified English ensures accurate and faster translations and helps every level of speaker or reader gain maximum understanding with the least amount of content creation effort.
One of the best ways to make safety training more accessible to non-native English speakers is to simplify your language and visuals. Use clear, concise, and plain English that avoids jargon, slang, idioms, and acronyms. Use short sentences, bullet points, and active voice. Use visuals such as images, icons, diagrams, and videos to support your verbal messages. Avoid using too much text or complex graphics that can overwhelm or confuse your trainees.
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Building on the idea of simplifying language, why not also include real life scenarios or role play exercises? These can be incredibly effective, especially for visual or experiential learners. It's one thing to read about safety procedures, but acting them out can really drive the point home and works great for those who might struggle with language barriers.
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First, providing translated materials, such as posters, handouts, or presentations, in the native languages of the participants can enhance understanding and comprehension. Additionally, incorporating visual aids, such as diagrams, images, or videos, can help convey important safety information regardless of language barriers. Another approach could involve utilizing multilingual trainers or interpreters who can effectively communicate the training content in various languages. Furthermore, offering interactive exercises or simulations that allow participants to practice safety procedures can help reinforce learning regardless of language proficiency. Lastly, incorporating technology, such as online training platforms with language options.
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OSHA states that training needs to be provided on the languages that the employees can understand. Having this in mind, we need to provide safety training materials, including written documents, presentations, and videos, in multiple languages. Also, visual aids can help convey important safety information regardless of language proficiency. Other options is to use an interactive learning platforms or e-learning modules that offer language customization options. These platforms can provide translated content or allow users to select their preferred language for instruction.
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Living in a bilingual area, I find that pictograms, symbols and diagrams can be very useful. Posters, pamphlets, presentations that provide more pictures, as well as simplified verbiage can help all viewers grasp the information more effectively.
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I agree with the Visuals such as Projector and White Board . Clarity and Brevity of the Language use. Moderate Tone of the Voice and Common use of Words .
Another way to make safety training more accessible to non-native English speakers is to provide translations and subtitles for your materials. You can use professional translators or online tools to translate your written and spoken content into the native languages of your trainees. You can also use subtitles or captions for your videos or audio recordings. This will help your trainees understand your messages better and reduce the cognitive load of processing a foreign language.
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Some days back I did one course on visual thinking by Piyuesh Modi. If we have to communicate - simple drawing tools are enough. A simple drawing communicates much better than 1000 words. Maybe it is time that we start talking about this mode of communication to overcome the issue of Multi lingual trainings. #curiouspiyuesh
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To provide effective translations and subtitles, it is essential to identify the relevant languages of the audience and, if possible, hire qualified professionals to ensure accuracy. Integrate subtitles into videos, offer language options, adapt to local culture, and make important documents available in multiple languages. Use multilingual e-learning platforms, test comprehension, promote accessibility, and regularly gather user feedback to continuously improve the quality of translations and subtitles. Keep regular updates and be aware of the limitations of machine translation, especially in terms of cultural nuances and specific contexts.
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If you are aware of what other languages are spoken, have all work with translation or subtitles. If you are unaware of the languages spoken, choose the most common languages, and also refer to the area you are reaching out to... what are the local demographics. Learn more about the community, you can use the information and integrate this into your presentation.
A third way to make safety training more accessible to non-native English speakers is to encourage interaction and feedback. You can use interactive activities such as quizzes, games, simulations, or scenarios to test your trainees' knowledge and skills. You can also use feedback tools such as polls, surveys, or chat boxes to collect their opinions, questions, or concerns. This will help you gauge their level of comprehension, engagement, and satisfaction with your safety training.
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Incorporate some cultural norms into training interactions and activities. Use common names for characters in a story and/or use common settings for scenarios and stories (like a nightly family dinner, or taking a walk after dinner, or going away for holiday). Representation matters. Incorporating cultural touchstones makes those training activities more relatable and memorable.
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Interesting and innovative scenario based situations that involve the trainees using the relevant PPEs or equipment and giving them the liberty to respond to certain situations ranging from critical level of emergencies down to unclassified levels. Furthermore, keeping the content of the training relevant to the trainees' job duties helps significantly. Trainers tend to share their detailed knowledge, however, from the trainees' perspective, they'd lose interest in knowing something that is not really relevant to what they're JDs are. Hence, it is good to water down the content and certain technical details specially while dealing with trainees where English might not be their native language.
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Encouraging interaction and feedback is crucial for fostering a collaborative and communicative culture. To achieve this, it's essential to create an open environment that values participation and receptiveness. Facilitating communication channels, establishing common goals, conducting brainstorming sessions, and using collaborative technology are effective strategies. Recognizing and rewarding contributions, encouraging constructive feedback, and fostering a learning culture are crucial steps. Conducting engagement surveys, promoting transparent communication, and facilitating the feedback process are also essential practices.
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Interaction plays a crucial role in making safety training more accessible to nonnative English speakers by providing opportunities for clarification, engagement, and practical application of the training content. Through interactive sessions, trainers can gauge participants' understanding, address language barriers in real time, and adapt their communication to ensure comprehension. Additionally, interactive activities and discussions can create a supportive learning environment where nonnative English speakers feel encouraged to ask questions, seek clarification, and participate actively in the training process.
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2 words, Universal Visuals. By using universal visuals throughout messages and lessons with consistency will drive home the message.
A fourth way to make safety training more accessible to non-native English speakers is to offer additional resources and support. You can provide them with supplementary materials such as glossaries, handouts, or cheat sheets that they can refer to during or after the training. You can also provide them with access to online platforms, forums, or mentors where they can ask questions, share experiences, or seek help. This will help them reinforce their learning, overcome challenges, and apply their knowledge and skills in practice.
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I’ve always tried to make every lesson as interactive as possible. Different learning styles need different approaches. The stand at the front and preach method, whilst maybe acceptable in university does not work with earlier learning.
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In my opinion, to make safety training more accessible to non-native English speakers, we can provide them with additional resources and support. This can include providing glossaries, handouts, or cheat sheets that they can use as a reference. Additionally, offering access to online platforms, forums, or mentors can help non-native English speakers ask questions, share experiences, and seek additional assistance. These measures will ensure that non-native English speakers have the necessary support to enhance their understanding of safety training and apply it effectively.
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De acuerdo con mi experiencia tanto en la parte académica como laboral, considero de vital importancia ofrecer recursos adicionales para el proceso efectivo de formación, capacitación y actualización en entornos laborales. Afortunadamente la tecnología el día de hoy nos ofrece variadas herramientas que pueden constituirse como aliadas en estos procesos. Se trata de tener apertura y que todos puedas acceder a la formación.
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In HR, one thing we would do is get a translator during major interactions and trainings. This way the employee always received proper training and feedback. Of course, this cannot always be accomplished, so using translating tools for minor communication was still required, but essential communication always resulted in a certified translator. This will also save significant money in the future if only 1 injury is eliminated.
A final way to make safety training more accessible to non-native English speakers is to review and improve your safety training. You can use data, analytics, or feedback to measure the effectiveness and impact of your safety training. You can also use best practices, benchmarks, or standards to compare your performance with others. This will help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your safety training and make necessary changes or improvements to enhance its accessibility, quality, and outcomes.
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All delivery needs constant review in order to improve. Carefully reviewing each exam breakdown enables us to see our areas for improvement in delivery. As a tutor I take all my results personally and review them against my delivery to gauge where I need to improve
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Use a bilingual instructor. Using a bilingual instructor will ensure that your non-English speaking employees understand the safety policies and procedures at your company. If that is not practical, a bilingual employee may prove helpful in relaying safety messages. Keep it simple. If the employee’s vocabulary is limited, you must account for that limitation. Keep training materials simple and avoid technical jargon. Have them translated, as necessary.
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To make safety training more accessible to nonnative English speakers, a thorough review process is essential. This involves collecting feedback from participants, assessing language proficiency levels, reviewing translated materials, observing interactions during training sessions, evaluating performance, ensuring cultural sensitivity, and making continuous improvements based on the insights gathered. By systematically reviewing these aspects, organizations can identify opportunities for improvement and enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of safety training for nonnative English speakers.
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- Role play based training - Picture based training - Interactive training - Translated courses - Language led trainers - Use IT and technology
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Be very careful with the use of humor and metaphors. Not everything translates well. Also, using analogies about sports, for example, can be confusing for those who may not know that sport in addition to language barriers.
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To conduct safety training to non-native English speaking employees, the below could be done; 1- Simplify the used English 2- Offer subtitles and translations 3- Consider more visuals that help delivering the message 4- Conduct simulations & role-plays
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Safety training is not historically the most engaging training and often a tick box exercise. To avoid this and in turn support non native speaking employees consider using simulated and digital training. This offers not only more fun, engaging training but for those whose native language isn't English offers a visual and interactive learning experience and will also lend to language learning.
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Another great way to make safety training more understandable is to have it expressed in multiple ways. This can be the posters with pictograms, through engaging videos, or even a role-play exercise, mini-exercises... Once you understand the groups' needs, you can cater this to what will be the most effective.
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