Training Packages > Breaking Down the Barriers > Module 5: Overcoming language barriers

Module 5: Overcoming language barriers

By the end of this module you will be able to:

  • Describe why some migrants do not learn English
  • Understand the reasons for seeking professional interpreting
  • Appreciate how to work with a professional interpreter
  • Understand how to use an informal interpreter
  • Identify ways to improve communication in situations where there is no interpreter.

This module has eight components.


1. Reflective Practice

'It's less rewarding to care for women who don't speak the same language as me.' Do you agree or disagree? Please say why.

2. Reflective Practice

A pregnant Pakistani woman reported her experience of antenatal care at a hospital in the UK: "I never understood what they were on about...I used to go home and cry my head off, I did not know what they were saying?"(6)

What might the emotional impact have been of not understanding and not being understood?

What might the impact have been on the speaker's attendance for antenatal care?

What might the impact have been on the quality of care she received?

What might the impact have been on the outcome of her pregnancy?


3. Presentation


4. Practice example information


5. Reflective Practice

Having read the practice example, what communication issues are raised by this woman's account of her labour?


6. Video exercise
In the next section of this module we will watch two videos of health professionals speaking to a mother, first demonstrating mistakes that can be made using an interpreter (in this case an informal interpreter) and then demonstrating how to communicate effectively using a professional interpreter.

The videos are part of the Building Skills to Provide Quality Healthcare website at the University of Wisconsin.

There are five Learning Activities; please do activities 2 – 5:

•Activity 2 is watching the video of a healthcare consultation with an informal interpreter

•Activity 3 is an opportunity to critique mistakes made by the participants

•Activity 4 is watching the video of the same healthcare consultation, this time with a professional interpreter

•Activity 5 tests your knowledge of mistakes that may be made when communicating with people who do not speak English, and of the correct approach.

Please click on the following link to begin: http://atsosxdev.doit.wisc.edu/uwppc_ce/Interpreters/topic1/learning.html


7. Resources and further reading