This thesis examines how students, aged 13-15, with a mother tongue other than Swedish, experience learning English in school. This is important since there is an increasing number of bilinguals and multilinguals learning English in schools in Sweden and around the world. Several concepts are presented and discussed that have been argued to pose barriers to bilingual and multilingual language learning. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with ten students, aged between 13 and 15. The empirical material shows that bilingual and multilingual students usually refer to Swedish, even when their mother-tongue may be a better reference for learning English. This is because teachers commonly refer to Swedish grammar rules in attempting to clarify English grammar rules and the textbooks used to support the learning process are in Swedish. This may pose problems for the learning process, particularly for students who are not proficient in Swedish. The study also highlights the importance of diagnosing bilingual students' L1 and L2 on a regular basis to see when the optimum time is to be exposed to English language learning rather than the current approach of immersing them in English learning without considering the other language learning processes the student may be engaged in. The study also found that students commonly perceived their English to be proficient even though they had poor grades. One possible reason for this is that they manage well in their day-to-day engagement with computer games, films and social media while formal English learning, including aspects such as grammar and writing, require a different type of application. Finally, the thesis describes how important high metalinguistic awareness is for language learning and it is suggested that additional research focuses on how this conceptual understanding can be translated in practitioner tools useful for teachers. Schools need to create an environment that values and supports multilingual students’ language competence and an early national diagnostic test would help to support those conditions.

Background: In Namibia there are a lot of different native languages even if the official language is English. Since communication is an important tool for nurses and studies about communication across language barriers mostly is done in western countries, there is need for more knowledge regarding the nurse's experience with language barriers in multilingual and multicultural context, like Namibia. Aim: To describe the experiences of Namibian nurses caring for patients who speak another native language. Method: Qualitative interviews were held with four nurses and one student nurse at Katutura State hospital in Windhoek, Namibia. Results: Two themes with subthemes were identified in the results. The first theme, Establishing the patient-nurse relationship, describes the importance of trust for communication and what the interviewees found important when creating a bond with the patient. The other theme, Establishing the communication, describes the importance of interpretation and how they tackled the language barrier. Conclusion: When meeting a patient with another native language it is of great importance to establish trust with the patient and that interpreters are used. The use of sublingual nurses, who found interpreting to be a natural part of their work, was beneficial.

This study aimed to determine the need for practical and academic training in Spanish for bilingual social work students. Using an exploratory method with a qualitative approach, the researcher interviewed bilingual MSW students who were providing counseling services in Spanish and who had not received any training in clinical Spanish. The study used purposive sampling to interview and evaluate participants’ perception of competence in providing services to Spanish speakers. Through data analysis, the researcher identified three themes: linguistic issues in clinical terminology, discomfort feelings, and language expectation. A limitation of this study included that the results could not be generalized to the larger population due to the small sample size. Recommendations included support from bilingual field instructors to process cases in Spanish and to strongly recommend students to participate in the Certificate Program in Healthcare at CSUSB to assist students who wish to continue working with Spanish speaking clients.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate nurses’ experiences of communicating with patients with immigrant backgrounds regarding language barriers, patient relations and use of interpreter. Method: Eight persons participated in this study. Four registered midwives were interviewed in a focus group and one clinical lecturer with a district nursing background, one midwife and two district nurses were individually interviewed about their experiences. The content was analysed using a qualitative content analysis. Results: Four themes, seven categories and 15 subcategories revealed. The study shows that the interviewees felt ambivalence regarding given information and lack of time in their performance. A good meeting with the patient were determined for the performance. The chatting between the nurse and the patient created a good relationship. Negative aspects which had an effect on the relationship with the patient were when, for example, an interpreter or a significant other was involved. Discrimination was also brought up as a negative impact. If the patient had a limited vocabulary or there were no access to an interpreter the interviewees experienced communication problems. Authorized interpreter and significant other who acted as an interpreter were described in both positive and negative ways. Culture differences affected the work and how the patients adopted the information. Conclusion: When the patient does not have Swedish as a mother tongue, the chatting part of the conversation gets lost. Interpreters, significant others and the Internet are used to overcome language difficulties. Also cultural differences create challenges in these conversations. Our study indicates that more knowledge about these patient encounters is needed.

This Thesis discusses issues surrounding the conduct of business in a global environment. The focus of this paper involved a major manufacturer and its business model (Deutsches Auto AG) to supply vehicles to markets in New Zealand, South Korea, Nepal, and Mongolia. Analysis was made from previously collected survey data taken in each region focused on the dealership and end-user level. Not surprisingly, it was discovered that language and cultural barriers had a significant impact on each locations operations. Observations showed that language seemed to have created a problem in every day operations in regards to management and dealership tasks. English as the lingua franca – common language of trade, was often a second or third language of the individuals conducting day to day business. Not only did everybody have their own native language but also regional dialects that affected communication, but cultural perspectives also complicated communication. This paper does not address all issues surrounding global business, but focuses its attention to personal observations and data collected to identify break downs in communications across the regions of New Zealand, South Korea, Nepal, and Mongolia. This research identified and confirmed the problems to be a lack of English skills (comprehension and speech), which is expected to be the common language between all. With this expectation, there is little emphasis given to teaching English, nor the cultural contexts and hierarchical understandings that enhances effective communication.

Migrationen till Sverige har ökat avsevärt under de senaste åren vilket innebär att ett ökat antal personer som inte har svenska som modersmål kan vara i behov av vård. För en god vård behöver också patienters delaktighet respekteras och en vårdande relation mellan sjuksköterskor och patienter etableras. Språkliga hinder kan medföra att patienter upplever oro och otrygghet i vården. Syftet med litteraturstudien var att undersöka sjuksköterskors erfarenheter av språkliga hinder i möten med patienter. Metoden som har använts är en litteraturstudie där tio vetenskapliga artiklar, både kvalitativa och kvantitativa, analyserades. Resultatet presenteras i sex olika teman: ett hinder för att förstå och bedöma patienters behov och situation, ett skäl till att vårdandet kompliceras, ett skäl till att kulturella skillnader uppstår, att övervinna språkliga hinder med hjälp av tolk, att övervinna språkliga hinder med hjälp av informell tolk, att övervinna språkliga hinder med egna strategier. Det framkom att den icke-fungerande kommunikationen och de kulturella skillnaderna med patienter försvårade sjuksköterskors arbete. Formell tolk, informell tolk som exempelvis familjemedlemmar och tvåspråkig personal, samt olika verbala, icke-verbala och visuella hjälpmedel användes för att förbättra kommunikationen. Alla dessa strategier hade sina för- och nackdelar vilket sjuksköterskor bör ta i beaktning. Det är ändå av stor vikt att sjuksköterskor interagerar med patienter när språkliga hinder föreligger, vilket främjar den vårdande relationen och kan öka patienters känsla av tillit och trygghet.

Class of 2017 Abstract / Objectives: To explore and describe the attitudes of pharmacy preceptors regarding the instruction of international student pharmacists. Methods: Two focus groups were held, involving a total a ten pharmacy preceptors associated with the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, the majority of whom had prior experience working with international pharmacy scholars. Results: Preceptors reported a number of both benefits and challenges associated with instructing international scholars. They benefited from the students’ contribution to the pharmacy team, and from the exposure to different cultures. The challenges they encountered primarily involved the language barrier, cultural differences, and differences in knowledge and training compared to local students. Conclusions: Preceptors reported overall positive experiences in working with international pharmacy scholars, and also faced a number of challenges.

No description available.

Bakgrund: Migration leder till att personer med olika bakgrund och kulturella tillhörigheter möts och skapar ett mångkulturellt samhälle där olika språk talas. Språk har stor betydelse för kommunikation och när olika språk talas kan språkbarriärer uppstå. Språkbarriärer upplevs utmanande i vården eftersom det begränsar och försvårar kommunikation och kan därmed hindra god vård.  Syfte: Att belysa sjuksköterskors erfarenheter av att möta patienter som talar annat språk än sjuksköterskan.  Metod: Litteraturstudie baserad på åtta kvalitativa artiklar som söktes i databaserna Cinahl, PubMed och PsycInfo. Analys genomfördes med hjälp av Fribergs femstegsmodell.  Resultat: Sjuksköterskor beskriver olika utmaningar och strategier när de vårdar dessa patienter. Det presenteras i fem kategorier och elva subkategorier. Kategorierna är: Effekter av bristande kommunikation, Behov av kompetensutveckling, Krav på förändrad organisation, Använda tillgängliga resurser som stöd och Egna strategier för att överbrygga språkbarriärer.  Konklusion: Fungerande kommunikation är avgörande för att ge säker vård. Sjuksköterskor kan känna sig otillräckliga när de vårdar patienter som talar annat språk. Organisationen behöver därför utveckla tydliga riktlinjer och hjälpverktyg för att stötta sjuksköterskor att hantera språkbarriärer i vården. / Background: As a result of migration, people with different backgrounds and cultural affiliations meet and create a multicultural society where different languages are spoken. Language is important for communication and when different languages are spoken, language barriers may arise. Language barriers are perceived as challenging in healthcare because they limit and complicate communication and might therefore become an obstacle to good healthcare.  Aim: To highlight the experiences of nurses when meeting patients that speak another language than the nurse.   Methods: Literature study based on eight qualitative articles which was searched in the databases Cinhal, PubMed and PsycInfo. The analysis was conducted using Friberg’s five step model.  Results: Nurses describe different challenges and strategies when caring for these patients. This is presented in five categories and eleven subcategories. The categories are: Impacts of a deficient communication, Need for competence development, Requirements for changed organization, Using available resources to facilitate communication and Strategies for bridging language barriers.  Conclusion: A crucial factor in providing safe care is functioning communication. Nurses may feel inadequate when caring for patients who speak another language. Therefore, the organization needs to develop clear guidelines and tools to support nurses dealing with language barriers within nursing care.

Background: In the past ten years over one million people have immigrated to Sweden, which sets high demands on healthcare personnel. However, the healthcare still must consider the law about patient safety, which means that the healthcare must be carried out on the patient's terms. For this to work communication is necessary. An interpreter is therefor required.  Aim: To summarize previous research concerning the patient's experiences in the case of using of interpreter. Method: A literature study of ten scientific articles with qualitative design. The articles came from PubMed. Result: Analyses show that the patients experienced the use of interpreters differently and could be divided into four categories; patient participation, powerlessness, security and confidence and feelings of shame.  Conclusion: Concerning patients experiences when using an interpreter many patients focused on the interpreter's reception. An unexpected finding was feelings of shame in connection with interpreters, these feelings can be a barrier in the nurses aim to perform patient centered care. There is also a lack of research regarding patients' experiences in connection with interpreters, especially concerning long term care consequences.