This is Part II of an essay I wrote as part of my course work at Columbia Southern University. Most of the information I have understood for years and taught to others. This time, the research backs my experience and observation.
Difficulties in Training
Employers handle communicating the company’s safety program. The goal is information transfer resulting in an efficient and safe workforce. As statistics have shown, a substantial number of foreign-born construction workers speak Spanish at home. Nevertheless, it is recognized that many limited English proficient (LEP) workers have some understanding of English. A company might conclude that if some English is understood and the U.S. is an English-speaking country, therefore training should be done in English. However, is that the most effective way to convey vital lifesaving information to a (LEP) workers?
Studies have shown that there are both benefits and challenges to a person being bilingual. The way a bilingual person must store, and process language is different than with a monolingual person. The ability to tap into more than one language in the thought process can aid in the persons encoding of information therefore improving memory. However, Studies have also shown that bilingual people with limited understanding in one language can often have difficulties processing the weaker language taking longer to do so. (Isurin L, Altarriba J 2012) In other words, if you place a limited English proficient Spanish speaking construction worker in a detailed oriented English speaking safety class, it will take him longer than his monolingual counterparts to process and understand what is being taught. It would be better to either teach LEP individuals in their own language or develop advanced training techniques that allow them to trigger their bilingual processes to improve memory.
Some organizations use Spanish videos for training. Videos, however, cannot answer questions or react to specific concerns that a worker might have. Others might consider printing out “Toolbox Talks” or other training material in Spanish, however, this does not take into consideration the lack of education or literacy among many foreign-born Hispanics. If they cannot read in Spanish, printed material will do no good. If employers wish to have a successful safety program, they must consider training limited English employees in the language they best understand, using effective teaching techniques. This teaching must be done on a consistent basis. A company might train in Spanish and use effective training techniques and still have a serious safety problem. Another vital factor to consider is how Hispanic culture can influence dangerous work habits.
