Every month, we share insights and knowledge from our online employer sessions with our partners. Recently, guest speaker Caroline van Blerkom spoke on the topic "Communication is so much more than just language." Below, we share the key takeaways from the session.

Language is more than a means of communication

 Language is much more than just a means of communication—it forms the foundation for collaboration and social dynamics within a team. "When language barriers arise, it not only impacts productivity but also how employees connect with each other and the organization," saysCaroline van Blerkom , director at Lexicon Trainingen and expert in language and culture in the workplace. This can be especially challenging in multicultural workplaces, where employees from different cultural backgrounds and with diverse language skills work together.

 The session highlighted that it's not just about language proficiency, but also about the cultural context in which that language is used. "Language and culture are inextricably linked and together form the work environment in which employees can develop and contribute to the team," Caroline explains.

 The challenges

 In a multicultural environment, various language barriers can arise that hinder collaboration. Some of the most common challenges Caroline mentioned in the session include:

• Misunderstandings due to assumptions: Employees may assume that everyone has the same cultural background and language skills. This can lead to miscommunication and misunderstandings.
• Multilingualism can lead to exclusion: “Employees who have a poor command of the Dutch language may feel excluded from conversations and decisions, which reduces social cohesion within the team,” says Caroline.
• Employees do not dare to indicate that they do not understand something: This can lead to a lack of clarity in work processes and unnecessary errors.
• Frustration due to language barriers: When language is difficult to understand, employees can feel frustrated, which affects their motivation and engagement.

 Practical solutions

 Fortunately, there are several ways employers can address language barriers and improve workplace communication. During the session, Caroline shared several valuable tips that companies can immediately apply:

• Clear and simple communication: "One of the most important ways to prevent misunderstandings is to keep communication simple and clear. Avoid jargon and technical terms that can be difficult for non-Dutch-speaking employees to understand," advises Caroline. "It's also helpful to regularly check that everyone has understood the information."
• Written Support: Written communication can help clarify the message. "For example, send follow-up emails or notes after meetings to reemphasize important points. This gives employees the opportunity to process the information at their own pace," says Caroline.
• Buddy or mentor programs: "An effective way to support the integration and language development of non-Dutch speaking employees is to establish buddy or mentor programs. These pair an experienced colleague with a newcomer, allowing them to not only improve their language skills but also learn more about the company's work culture and processes."
• Awareness of language and cultural differences: It's important for teams to be aware of the language and cultural differences that may exist. Caroline advises: "Organize workshops or training sessions to give employees more insight into diversity in the workplace. This not only helps with better communication, but also fosters greater understanding and respect. And this diversity isn't just between people of different nationalities—cultural differences also exist among Dutch people. Recognizing these increases mutual understanding and strengthens connections with colleagues who may seem different, but who surprisingly share a lot in common."

 Creating a language-friendly workplace

 Breaking down language barriers in the workplace isn't always easy, but it's essential for successful collaboration and integration of non-Dutch-speaking employees. "Breaking down language barriers can create an inclusive and productive workplace," says Caroline. "After all, language isn't just a means of communication, but a bridge to understanding, collaboration, and growth."
 Want to delve deeper into language and culture in the workplace and are you curious about Lexicon's integrated approach? Then visit the Lexicon website for more background information and services on this topic.

By becoming a partner with the Refugee Talent Hub, you can participate in sessions like this and gain valuable insights. Want to know more? Request a consultation .

 Read more?

•  Want to learn more about how to integrate language and culture into the workplace? Then visit the Lexicon website and learn more about their methods, including their integrated approach and conducting workplace scans .
•  Colleague Batsheba with a blog about cultural context, unwritten rules and prejudices in the workplace