Work Advice: When a staffer struggles with the English language
Q: I'm a senior scientist in a research lab, supervising a Chinese technician. She is the best tech I've had: hard-working, competent, independent once she understands the task, persevering and sweet natured. My only problem is her limited English. We often have to repeat ourselves to each other. A lot of time can be wasted if she misunderstands and does an experiment wrong. I even do some things myself rather than spend the time to explain. I often give her printed instructions, which she can follow very well.
I get the impression she's happy just to be a pair of hands, but I need her to take initiative. Her poor English is holding her back from learning more interesting procedures and limiting her ability to get a promotion.
I've brought this up in evaluations, and she fervently agrees. But she has not taken any steps to improve her English. She's middle aged and probably only mingles with other Chinese people outside work. I want to suggest an English class, but what she really needs is constant practice.
A: You could actively steer her to an ESL class; your employer might even cover the cost. But consider that, despite all her perseverance and what you see as fervent agreement, her English may be as fluent as it's going to get. What then?
Can you find the budget for a translator to facilitate occasional training sessions? Would someone at your workplace welcome the chance to swap routine tasks for your "more interesting procedures"? Can you rely more on instructions written in advance?
Granted, she's a paid assistant, not a rescue kitten. If her lack of fluency is genuinely interfering with research, that could be legitimate grounds for dismissal -- but it doesn't sound as though that's your intent. Maybe you can find a way for "the best tech [you've] had" to continue doing what she's good at -- and some sympathy for her struggles with a foreign tongue.
Q: My native language is Spanish, but I have the desire of improve my English and feel comfortable speaking and writing in my second language. I live in Miami, so my opportunities to practice English are little. I am journalist, and I have the opportunity to write in English in a community newspaper, but I do not feel confidence to do it. Maybe you could give some ideas to reach my goal.
A: Your English seems adequate to me for communicating, but if you want to speak and write like a native, the best way is to immerse yourself in the language. Some suggestions:
• Enroll in an ESL class.
• Strike a deal with a native English speaker in your office or community who wants to improve his or her Spanish.
• Write for that community paper, and ask the editor to show you his or her changes.
• Force yourself to watch television, listen to the radio, and read newspapers and websites in English.
I can tell you firsthand that functioning in a non-native tongue is exhausting. But little by little, your English will become more fluid. Buena suerte!
• Miller has written for and edited tax publications for 16 years, most recently for the accounting firm KPMG's Washington National Tax office. You can find her on Twitter, @KarlaAtWork.