The Associated Press
PHOENIX (AP) -- Workers in many fields are being encouraged to learn another language as the need for bilingual employees becomes visible in everything from fire fighting to health care.
Many point out it takes time for immigrants to become fluent in English.
Knowing another language doesn’t just make it easier to serve customers. During times of distress, speaking coherently in any language can be difficult but can make the difference between life and death, first responders say.
“We can’t afford to put politics in front of saving someone’s life, and we won’t,” said Bobby Ruiz, deputy fire chief with the Phoenix Fire Department.
Two-thirds of the patients seen at Maricopa Medical Center don’t speak English, said hospital spokeswoman Martha Martinez. To cope, the hospital has 12 Spanish interpreters who work various shifts. Interpreters who speak other languages are also on-call.
Patients say that makes them more likely to trust doctors and understand their follow-up care instructions too.
To pair employees who want to learn a language with classes, the city of Phoenix has a full-time language program coordinator, Mariana de la Fuente.
As part of the city’s program, classes are taught onsite, with private schools and colleges contracted also. City employees are reimbursed for the language classes they pass.
“As far as I know, we are the only city that has organized and comprehensive language training,” de la Fuente said.
Initially, the city’s effort began with police, fire and neighborhood services departments. But the need for language skills extends to other departments, such as aviation workers at Sky Harbor International Airport and city courts. Even Mayor Phil Gordon takes Spanish classes when time allows.
The fire department runs an immersion program for its staff and plans to expand it over the next two years.
As part of the program, firefighters leave their station and spend four months at one in Laveen, where they must speak Spanish. They take classes onsite and all objects, including the station’s kitchen utensils, are labeled in Spanish.
“We had a lady having a diabetic problem last shift and we were able to find out what medication she was on, her medication history and things like that, so the paramedics could make a better evaluation,” said Phoenix firefighter Kevin Parks, who took Spanish classes at Interlingua, a private Phoenix school where all the teachers are native speakers.
Human resources personnel say they benefit from bilingual skills, which allow them to translate forms and explain policies regarding sexual harassment, reporting problems and workers’ rights.
Construction supervisors say speaking another language helps them avoid problems at the workplace and explain procedures.
“For me, it’s to communicate safety,” said Shawn Manske, a safety director for a Mesa construction firm. “We work at heights a lot, so falls are our biggest danger.”
Colleges and language schools are aiding the efforts to learn Spanish and other languages. They offer classes geared to specific needs such as Spanish for bank tellers, automobile sales or law enforcement.
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| Spanish speakers are the fastest growing segment of the United States population (US Census 2003). Law enforcement officers with no knowledge of the Spanish language and culture are at a disadvantage during encounters with Hispanic persons. Officers may react inappropriately since they cannot understand what is being said and they are unable to gather information, offer assistance, or give orders when necessary. Basic Spanish language skills will increase your safety and efficiency in encounters with Spanish speakers.
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